Fruit of the Spirit-- Joy (devotion)

Joy is mentioned all through the Bible. We are told to sing with joy, shout with joy, to be joyful. When we’re saved, we’re given the impression that all our problems will be solved. Psalm 30 is often quoted, “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.”

Well, I’ll tell you, there are plenty of times I don’t feel like dancing. There are plenty of times that I’m still mourning. I look at all the suffering in the world, among my friends, in my own family, and wonder, “How am I supposed to have joy right now?”

When I examine the scriptures about joy I find a common thread—the Lord. Whether they are referring to Him, His Word, or His acts, joy is linked to God over and over again. Here are a few verses:

“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!” Is 61:10.

“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.” Jer 15:16

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Phil 4:4

“Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.” Rom 4:8

The secret of having joy is to keep our eyes heavenward. When we look around at our circumstances, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and depressed. However, we need to remember that our current situation is temporary. We have a greater promise and hope in the future through Jesus Christ.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Rom 5:3-5

How do we keep our eyes heavenward? We do that through prayer, studying the Word, singing praise/worship songs, and fellowshipping with other believers. The best example of this is highlighted in Acts chapter 16.

“A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.” Acts 16:22-24

Those are some pretty overwhelming circumstances. Paul and Silas are in pain, in prison, and locked in stocks. If anyone had the right to be depressed, it was the two of them. But what does the very next verse say they were doing? Complaining, crying, licking their wounds? No. Their eyes were heavenward.

“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God….” (v 25)

Everyone knows what happened next. An earthquake came. The doors of the prison opened and all the prisoners’ chains fell off. (v 26) The earth literally moved because of their joy. God can do the same for you when you keep your eyes heavenward. There might not be earthquakes, but there could be a resolution to your problems, or the peace that helps you navigate them.

I’ve said before that the Fruit of the Spirit is for reproduction. The Holy Spirit uses our joy regardless of circumstances to reach others. Notice in the story all the doors opened and all the chains fell off—not just Paul’s and Silas’s. The other prisoners were blessed as well. It didn’t stop there. The jailer and his family were saved.

“And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.” (v 32-34)

It’s easy to let our circumstances rob us of our joy. I encourage you to remember that joy is not in the things of this world, but in the hope of our salvation and our relationship with the living God. “I say it again—rejoice!” Phil 4:4