What is REAL spiritual JOY? Righteous joy is a deep-rooted, inspired, sacred attitude. The Bible says, ”The joy of the Lord is your strength.” [Neh. 8:10]. Pure joy needs to be ever present, endurable, stable, and steady even during afflictions and difficulties. Joy is more than happiness, more than laughter. It is closely related to peace and hope.
How does joy take root? How do we help joy to grow in our souls, spirits, and lives? Joy is a characteristic of endurance. In Joshua 24:15 we read how Joshua must have enjoyed this profound, sincere, and genuine joy when he said. “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!”
The first thing we notice is that Joshua had a whole-hearted commitment to please God. This commitment flowed over into his service to God, which in turn influenced his household and the nation. Joshua’s faith was a genuine “inexpressible” joy, that is – it was so great, that no words could express it as it OVERFLOWED!
1 Peter 1:3- 6 tells us that we have NEW BIRTH which leads into a LIVING HOPE, to an imperishable, unfading inheritance through faith in salvation. Thus, we REJOICE in our sufferings… “so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may RESULT IN PRAISE, GLORY AND HONOUR at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and REJOICE with an INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” [Verses 7-9] What wonderful, marvellous, and magnificent joy!!
Heavenly Father God, thank You that I can trust in You always! “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.” [Psalm 138:7] How blessed I am that I can have exceeding joy even though I have troubles or hardships, danger, and challenges on every side. I love You, oh Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer! When you set your face to the cross dear Jesus, You had joy because you knew that your death and resurrection would cause my salvation, freedom and joy! THANK YOU!!
Myrtle Turunen