The Source of Joy

Friday December 26, 2014

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your level of joy?

When a friend was asked this question, her reply was "1". She shared, "I´m, living a relaxed life, doing what I want, but I am not joyful."

Clearly there´s a distinct difference between happiness and joy. Author Oswald Chambers offers this explanation : "Joy is different from happiness, because happiness depends on what happens. There are elements in our circumstances we cannot help, joy is independent of them all."

So where can we find joy? In God!

The numerous commands to rejoice in Him (Psalms 5:11, 9:2, 32:11, 40:16, Philippians 3:1, 4:4) show that it´s possible for all believers - regardless of temperaments - to experience the joy of the Lord. And because God is the same yesterday, today and forever, we can rejoice in His attributes as well as His actions during good days and bad days.

The author of Psalm 43 knew this truth objectively, but subjectively he felt sad and discouraged. I´m sure we can all identify with him. Let´s look at what he did to find joy again : firstly, he spoke to God about his circumstances (vv. 1-4). But more than simply asking God for deliverance, he asked for light and truth that would guide him to God and His exceeding joy. Secondly, he spoke to his soul (v.5). Preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones described the importance of preaching to ourselves : "Have you realised that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?"

Let´s learn from the psalmist. Preach hope to your soul when your circumstances are speaking of despair. Tell yourself : "Hope in God," "praise Him again," for He is "my Saviour and my God!" (v.5) - Poh Fang Chia

Read
Psalm 43:1-5
Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.
You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning, 
oppressed by the enemy?
Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Saviour and my God.

Luke 10:17-22
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Question to Ponder
What brings you joy?
What does it mean for you to find joy in the Lord?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue