Real Joy - My Choice

Joy or the lack thereof seems to be a recurrent theme in the conversations I am having recently with many people. The circumstances of our daily lives seem to predisposition us to feel as if there are dark clouds hanging over us at all times. The "world" in which we currently reside is not exactly a safe and rosy place right now and too many of us are allowing that to direct our state of being. The Lord has much to say about joy and its source. Why is it that more of us are not paying attention to what He has to say but rather are believing the lies being perpetrated by our adversary, the enemy?

The very first mention of the source of joy for us comes in Nehemiah 8:10 later part of verse: "This is a sacred day before the Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah was speaking to the Israelites who had yet to experience the Savior, Jesus Christ. They had returned from captivity and were hearing the Law of God being read and wept as they realized how far they had wandered from the Lord. But Nehemiah through the speaking of the Lord reminded them that they were now in His presence and were to honor Him and His faithfulness. This was indeed a sacred day before the Lord because His chosen people were now choosing to honor Him through the decreed festivals and we hear the result of this obedience in focusing on the Lord. Nehemiah 8:17 So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy!

How about Job? We all should be familiar with Job's tremendous trials. Many of you have probably been told at one time or another, "Consider Job! If Job could live through what he did and still love God and understand God's faithfulness, surely you can do it!" Early on in the book of Job, he acknowledges the source of joy. Job 8:20-21 "But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked. He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." King David is another who knew his share of heart ache and wilderness travels. Yet in an early Psalm he too acknowledges the source of joy. Psalm 4:7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. He directly compares earthly reasons to be joyful with the true source of joy and proclaims how great joy is. I could continue sharing each of these examples with you, but there are 165 entries in the Word for the single word joy. So let's fast forward to the New Testament and listen to what Jesus has to say.

John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 16:22, 24 "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy......Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 17:13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." Then the disciples of Jesus further instruct us. Romans 15:23 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Once again I will stop because the entries are so numerous. I pray that you are getting the general idea though. Joy is not something that we obtain through our own efforts or through the events of our lives. True joy - the kind that permeates our very being to our core - is received through the Lord Himself. Too often we seek joy through these other means and then are disappointed when we don't feel it. The Lord however is quick to instruct us where to look and what must happen if we want our lives to both exhibit and experience His true joy. Considering then that the Lord is the source of true joy, why is it so many of us are struggling to live in it?

One explanation is based in the comment I hear way too often. "The enemy stole my joy." I immediately refute this exclamation with this statement. No one can steal your joy; only you can give it away. Look at the source; look at what the Lord tells us. Do you really believe the defeated enemy has the power to interfere with your relationship with the Lord? Only with your permission. Only you can open the door and hand him the gift that has been given to you by your loving Lord. If you have the power to give it away, then logically you have the power to retain it too. This is all about your focus on life and where you are willing to center your attention. Will it be on the Lord as the source of your strength and joy or will it be that defeated foe who knows only how to lie to you?

I have been down this road and I understand what it is like to not awaken every morning filled with excitement and anticipation for the day that awaits me. Fortunately I have a God who did not give up on me during those times and I came to realize that I had to take action to get to that juncture where I would once again be filled up with Him. God is a gentleman and He will never force His love on any of us. He will patiently wait while we turn back towards Him and draw near to Him to experience once again the wonderful infilling of His peace and joy. Make a decision today to guard this incredible git He has given to you. Make a choice today that will fill you to overflowing with the Son-shine of your life. Experience anew this awesome spiritual fullness called the Joy of the Lord!