Click For Audio Version
Universal Desire
The gift of joy is what we all desire. We want to be happy, and the Bible enlightens us to God’s provision for joy in all situations. A joy that is so complete and so pure that it revives us from deep within our souls.
Yes, we live in a world torn with all kinds of trouble. There are wars, sickness, death, and many different trials that afflict us. As a result, our lives can be complicated. If we are not careful, we can become depressed and feel defeated. Life can seem more like a trial than a joy.
Satan wants to defeat us and make us feel gloomy and full of sorrow. That is what sin can do to all mankind. However, our faith in God can make joy possible no matter what happens to us day by day.
Joy is what God brings to the table. Beginning in the Old Testament, we find 242 explicit references to Joy that are available to us. It is a gift that Jesus revealed anew in the New Testament for those who love and follow Him.
Habakkuk
Read Habakkuk 3:17-19 and think about what the prophet is saying.
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
This hymn tells the story of losing everything of value and being able to rejoice. However, he did not focus on what was lost. Instead, he focused on what he had. God had not forsaken him, and he knew that he could rejoice in the Lord even with what he faced.
Second Greatest Gift
The gift of joy is God’s second most incredible gift to you if you will accept it. The first, of course, is sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. However, once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, a whole world of hope and blessings is opened up to us.
I am ever thankful to Jesus for giving Himself on the cross for my sins. My first taste of God-given joy was when I first accepted Him as my personal Savoir. I did not realize that that was just the beginning of a life filled with joy. That if I would accept all of His teachings, I would be full of joy every day.
When the angels announced Jesus’ birth, they said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Luke 2:10 KJV)
What the angels said is a promise of what is to come, and then Jesus confirms it later when He says, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11 KJV)
I experience this gift of joy every day. When I wake, I give God thanks for the new day. All day, the beauty of His wonderful creation reminds me to be thankful.
Yes, there are bad things that happen to me. I am just like you. None of us are exempt from any of the problems of life. How we look at them separates those who see God in all things and praise Him anyway and those who don’t.
It Is Free – Take it
The gift of joy from God is free, so why be anything but full of joy? Once you change your mindset, it is easy. The problem that you may have is giving up old ways of thinking. It is always hard to form new habits. Our old self tends to pull us back and steal our joy.
So how do you get this free joy? It is really not hard. All you have to do is what you are already supposed to be doing, praising God for all He has done. Look and see what God is doing and be thankful. The more you praise and thank Him, the more joy will flood your soul.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”( 1Peter 1:8-9 NIV)
Inexpressible and glorious joy is yours. You can take it for free. You don’t need alcohol or drugs or fast cars or live in a mansion and have tons of money. All you need is to realize what God has given you and practice it.
James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
Can you do that? You can with the help of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
If the Holy Spirit moved you with this message you might read, “My Father’s Love,” also. God wants us to respond to Him and He has shown us that in many ways.