After hearing the king, they went their way;
and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it
came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they
rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew
2:9-10 NASB
Christmas certainly is considered to be a season of joy. As the Advent candle was lit this week for
joy we recognized that the coming of the Messiah would bring joy to all
men. Joy is spoken of throughout
scripture as a product of God’s love and His Spirit. What is this joy?
Joy is a state of being more than an
emotion.
Joy is more than happiness,
which is temporal and conditional. Happiness
is an emotion dependent on personal feelings. Joy is the unconditional state of
mind that accompanies fellowship with God. It is characterized by great
wellbeing.
The Greek word for
'joy' is derived from the Greek word for 'grace.' This is important to note,
for it tells us categorically that joy comes from the grace of God. This means 'joy' isn't a
human-based happiness that comes and goes.
Rather, true 'joy' is divine in origin.
It is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best in hard times. But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against
such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Joy
is not dependent on circumstances.
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having
received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:6
The Thessalonians were under great
stress due to persecution; yet in the midst of it all, they continued to
experience great joy. In fact the text strongly implies that their supernatural
joy was due to the Holy Spirit working in them. Paul even called it the "joy of the Holy Spirit."
Real joy is something much deeper and much
more lasting than being happy. Unlike
happiness, we are not responsible for it.
It exists within us and comes into our lives as the gift of God. Joy
breaks into our lives often in the most unexpected ways. It can be in a moment
when love is expressed, when we are suddenly caught up in the unbelievable beauty
of our world, or when that which is lost is found. There is the joy that comes in being forgiven
when we have been wrong, the joy of being together when we have been separated,
and the joy that one feels lingering in the heart, even when tears run down our
cheeks.
Joy
is found in a relationship with God
While most seek for happiness in temporal things, real joy is
found in the spiritual realm. Listen to the Psalmist: But let all who take refuge in You be glad,
Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your
name may exult (be joyful) in You.
Psalms 5:11 NASB
And again in Psalm 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our
tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD
has done great things for them."
When you feel that you have lost your joy go to God who longs
to give us real joy and Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will
say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NASB
