God Is Joy!

God Is Joy!

We all know God is love. But God is also Joy! All the joy in the world derivatives from God. And there is no joy apart from God. No matter how hard people try to tell you so. All the attempts to have fun are poor substitutes for joy. God was, is and will be JOY.

“God sovereignly made me—the first, the basic— before he did anything else. I was brought into being a long time ago, well before Earth got its start. I arrived on the scene before Ocean, yes, even before Springs and Rivers and Lakes. Before Mountains were sculpted and Hills took shape, I was already there, newborn; Long before God stretched out Earth’s Horizons, and tended to the minute details of Soil and Weather, And set Sky firmly in place, I was there. When he mapped and gave borders to wild Ocean, built the vast vault of Heaven, and installed the fountains that fed Ocean, When he drew a boundary for Sea, posted a sign that said no trespassing, And then staked out Earth’s Foundations, I was right there with him, making sure everything fit. Day after day I was there, with my joyful applause, always enjoying his company, Delighted with the world of things and creatures, happily celebrating the human family.
(Proverbs 8:22-31, MSG)

God created the world in his joy. God’s plans for his children are joyful. He wants all his children to experience his joy. That’s why he sent his son to redeem us. So we could again be in touch with him and receive his joy.

I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.
(John 15:11, MSG)

Joy never comes from us. Joy comes from the Lord. But it is freely available for us in Jesus. If we are continually filled with the Spirit of God we are also filled with joy. The more time we spend in God’s presence the more joy will rub on us and more mature our joy will become.

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.
(Psalm 97:11, MSG)

God’s joy is so amazing that nothing can suppress it. Not darkness, not hardships, not evil. God’s joy will always permeate through everything. Forever and ever. This joy energizes, empowers, encourages. This joy fills every nook and cranny in our soul. And then we are asked to share this Joy with the world around us.

If we want to live joyfully we need to live close to God. If we do not feel the joy of the Lord we need to stay longer in God’s presence. We need to pray until praise flows. Joy is not about our circumstances. We rejoice in spite of everything. Joy is about being with God. Forever.

 

Gracious God,
You are so holy,
so amazing, so wonderful!
Abide in us!
Give us your joy,
Fill us to the brim.
And let it overflow
to the world!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What do you think…why do we let the darkness shadow our joy? How do you keep your reservoir of joy up to the brim?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you live joyfully in Christ!

Image courtesy of Paul Snyder

11 thoughts on “God Is Joy!

  1. God is joy indeed! It’s incredible that as we grow in our relationship with Christ, we can often find joy amidst all the sorrow; true joy indeed! Blessings, Nicki

  2. Thank you, Nicki, for sharing your joy in Christ with us! God is amazing! Praise the Lord! May God bless you now and forever!

  3. I love your exhortation here! It’s go right to the point and can be easily interpreted by new believers. I’m going to use it in my prison ministry.

  4. The reason that we lack lasting joy is because we cling on to the very things that gives us pain in our hearts even though we take these problems to God ..if we hold on to problems, then we do not allow God to take them away…so fellow pilgrims…,things of this world, are never that serious;-) be blessed

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