GREAT JOY

Joy, Many may describe it as happiness or a sense of jubilee and excitement. A sense of contentment perhaps. You then will think about all that can bring you that feeling.

Money.

Success.

Status.

The list can go on but clearly that’s what joy must be. The momentary feeling you find in those circumstances. But, how can it be when the very world we inhabit is broken and full of things that cause the very opposite of joy. Despair and tribulations are more common than the joy we envision. And then there goes our chance at joy as we know it. Or so we think. Because joy is more than an emotion.

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭63‬:‭5‬-‭11‬ (ESV)‬‬

For the psalmist, joy doesn't only show up in the peaceful moments or the ideal circumstances. Joy actually carried him through the restless nights. Biblical Joy is present when the people of God remember that God is faithful to fulfill his promises. Looking back and then forward to find joy for today. But joy is only joy because of the one who we’re focused on, not the circumstances we find ourselves in.

In this season of Advent we are to find joy in the one who the angel spoke of. 

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

We can find joy in God today because He fulfilled His oldest promise when He sent Jesus to Bethlehem! And since He did that; we can joyfully face today and tomorrow. What He has begun He will bring to completion in His second coming. Christian Joy is based on Jesus’ life. Let’s be people of joy who forever choose to live in light of Jesus' arrival, death and resurrection for all mankind.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭(ESV)‬‬