If we want to be filled with joy, we need to be filled with God. The world offers passing entertainment but God offers real, lasting and exuberant joy. The joy God gives is not artificial or forced but delightful and true.  It’s a gift from God.

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people,
   Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.
So, God’s people, shout praise to God,
   Give thanks to our Holy God!
(Psalm 97: 11-12, MSG)

Evelyn Underhill states that the secret of joy is found when we shall no longer strive for our own way; but commit ourselves, easily and simply, to God’s way, acquiesce in His will, and in so doing find our peace.

We’re depending on God;
      he’s everything we need.
   What’s more, our hearts brim with joy
      since we’ve taken for our own his holy name.
   Love us, God, with all you’ve got—
      that’s what we’re depending on.
(Psalm 33: 20-22, MSG)

Everything God does is done with joy. He loves us so much! God created the world with joy, he prepared the way of salvation with joy and God is now taking care of us with joy. The way to joy is the way to God. The way to God is the way to joy.

The revelation of God is whole
      and pulls our lives together.
   The signposts of God are clear
      and point out the right road.
   The life-maps of God are right,
      showing the way to joy.
   The directions of God are plain
      and easy on the eyes.
   God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
      with a lifetime guarantee.
   The decisions of God are accurate
      down to the nth degree.
(Psalm 19: 7-9; MSG)

Like Robert Schuller has said “Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God.” Life sure is full of challenges but God has promised to always be there for us. The joy-seeds grow within us and by the grace of God we start bearing more and more spiritual fruit, joy among them. The more we trust Jesus, the more joyful we become. If you want to be filled with joy, be filled with the Spirit of God!

After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live. (Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20, MSG)

 

Gracious God,
Take away everything that tears down our joy.
Remove everything that contradicts the joy of salvation.
Let us bear spiritual fruit for you.
Fill us with your Spirit!
Fill us with your joy!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Have you experienced joy in the midst of hardships?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, on your way to more complete joy in Jesus!

Photo courtesy of Will Williamson