Inexpressible Joy
John 16:24
Until now you have asked nothing in My Name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
In one translation of the Bible, the English Standard Version, the words “joy,” “rejoice,” or “joyful” appear a total of 430 times, compared with “happy” or “happiness,” which appear only ten times. Joy is lasting, and it satisfies the heart in a unique and awesome way. If Jesus dwells within you, then joy will become a characteristic that you can have throughout your whole life. We have this joy because we realize our position in Christ: who you are in Him, and what He has done for you. Happiness will come and go in our lives. It is fickle and demands happy circumstances. Sticking around is exactly what joy does. It doesn’t run and get chased off by troubling times. Lamentations 3:17 says, “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.” Yet the Holy Spirit gives us supernaturally great and lasting joy, even when we are faced with difficult and challenging situations. I have witnessed the unending suffering of some who are wheelchair bound, with no hopes of ever walking, yet they are so personable and full of joy. I’ve thought at times, what my character and heart posture would be if that were my circumstance in life. Sorrow and suffering will most likely effect all of us in one form or another in our lives, and much of it will pass, but joy continues in spite of hardship. Eternal joy is what Jesus has promised us. If it is not right there in the exact moment, yet Jesus said it was to be our portion, that He was for us, and that His joy will rise again and come again at last. Psalm 30:5 says “For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Dear one, whether in happy or sad times, in comfort or pressing difficulties, we can find joy in the Presence of the Lord. Put your focus on who He is, what He’s done to bring us salvation, and what His promise is to keep us—this remembering will bring His Presence and supernatural joy that will never compare with the temporariness of happiness. I’ve suffered great loss and in the midst of it, ponder would I ever be joyful again. The secret was finding my hidden place in Him, casting all my care onto Him, and then grasping the understanding that life goes on. You put one foot in front of of the other, smile and let the healing process work its anointed work. Joy will come. Trust His ways. Trust His purposes and know His joy will be your strength. He loves you so.
What about you? Share your heart with the Lord today. Pour it all out to Him, the good, the bad and the ugly. Let His healing balm bathe your tender soul. You will begin to experience is rest, peace, and joy seeping into your heart and mind. He knows the way that you take, and He will be ever there with you, walking and pouring into you throughout your day. Have a great day in Him full of the joy of the Lord.
