How Is Your Joy?

By Pastor Jim Deck

Have you ever gone to visit someone in the hospital that was facing a very serious surgery, maybe even life threatening, and noticed the joy in his or her voice? Or gone to the home of someone who just lost a loved one and found him or her to be rather cheerful and warm? Just recently I had the opportunity to go to a hospital and pray for someone who was facing a very serious medical procedure the next morning. While I was visiting them all they could talk about was how good God was to them and how He gave them a wonderful life. There was no fear or apprehension of the next day's events, or conversation that was filled with doubts as to what was going to happen to them. But, instead, they shared how the blessings of God gave them so much hope in a bright future. The joy of the Lord was evident in them.

I remembered the joy that Jesus promises to those who follow Him. When faced with difficult situations in life there seems to be a supernatural joy that fills the hearts of those who trust in Him. The angel who announced Jesus' birth stated to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11) Jesus said, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:11) In John 17 Jesus prayed to His Father, "That they may have the full measure of my joy within them" (vs.13). It seems that this joy Jesus talks about is the birthright of every believer. The question we must ask is, do we believe we possess the joy of the Lord, and if we do, do we act like it? Some Christians believe that their happiness is their evidence of joy. However, happiness is an emotion we experience when delightful things happen in our life. The joy of the Lord, on the other hand, is a state of being in our relationship with Christ Jesus.

The evidence of joy in the Christian's life reveals itself during adversity and trials that we so often face when we least expect them. To be able to proclaim the Lord's goodness and provision during difficult times comes from a heart filled with the love and joy of a loving Savior. Jesus was the ultimate example of this as revealed in the book of Hebrews; "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

How's your joy? Are you filled with the joy the Lord describes in the scriptures? Can you face adversity and trials today knowing that you will respond with the joy of the Lord? The Christian life is filled with the challenges of life and tribulations that are a part of our journey. We can be victorious in all things as we place Jesus first in our hearts, in our thoughts, in our conversations and most of all in the center of our lives. Today, you can experience the joy of the Lord as a normal part of your life. Give Him room to enter into your life and receive the abundant joy filled life He wants you to experience.

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