I’ve been reading through a lot of my past devotionals as I prepare for the publication of my second book. While reading, I became aware of the fact that quite frequently I address how to handle the challenges of life. We do have challenges and we do need to know how to approach them in a Godly fashion in order to get through them in the healthiest way possible.  However, I decided that it was past time to consider joy!  Since the Bible is my “go to” resource for the best direction on anything about how to live our lives on earth to honor God, I did some investigating. I found over 200 references to joy. This is a little of what I found. 

It is easy to have joy because of important, positive events. When King David defeated the enemies of Israel, the people were filled with joy over the victory. At various stages of the building of the temple in Jerusalem, happy tears and joyful shouting came from the people because they were so excited for each stage.  Ezra 3 states that the shouts were so loud after the foundation was laid that they could be heard “far away.”  Defeat of enemies and building a temple to the Lord are natural reasons for joy. Yet, consider the magnitude of their joy. 

However, I believe that the joy we are to have that comes from God is not the kind that comes only from good circumstances but from what God grows in our lives. “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 ESV). Joy, then, is not a magical feeling that comes out of nowhere. Joy is a fruit that God grows in the lives of those who set their hearts on seeking Him diligently through His Word and prayer. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17 ESV).  

In addition, because of that growth, we can have joy in spite of problems when we follow God because we are confident in His love.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” (James 1:2 NIV).  

Of course, we can have joy because of the salvation that God has provided as a free gift to us. “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation,” (Psalm 95:1 NIV). 

We can also have joy because we can find safety with God. “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exalt in you, (Psalm 5:11 ESV).  

Let us seek, then, to live lives of joy in the Lord so that those who do not know Him will be attracted to the joy that flows from all He has done and for who He is. 

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen,” (Jude 1:24-25 ESV).  

Helen’s first book, “Ordinary Life, Extraordinary God” which contains about 1/3 of the devotionals written for The Minot Daily News over many years is available online or by contacting her at jesusisthereason01@gmail.com.