Resounding joy rings throughout Christendom. Joy springs forth and bubbles up throughout the scriptures. It echoes forth through poetry and music.
The Psalmist claimed having more joy than those celebrating in times of abundance. He declared that fullness of joy shows up when in the presence of God. He taught joy; a byproduct of forgiveness and salvation. He encouraged shouts of joy, reminds his readers that in the morning after a night of weeping there is joy. There is a harvest of joy to those who sow in tears.
Isaiah talks of the ransomed of the Lord having everlasting joy upon their heads. They will obtain joy, everlasting joy. The importance of it causes him to repeat it.
John leaped for joy in his mother’s womb when Mary came to visit, the angels told the shepherds of the joy available to all people and the wise men had joy when they saw the star.
Jesus wants our joy to be full. It is a joy that will not be taken away. The disciples were filled with joy when the Holy Spirit came.
“The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. We learn it from Jesus who authors and finishes our faith. He was able to endure the cross because of the joy set before him. James tells us to count as joy our various trials. Nehemiah told the disheartened Jews that the joy of the Lord was their strength.
Joy a gift of God through His Spirit, the result of His work in our lives, and the power to endure. Here we have the joy of Christmas and the power to enter a New Year. I pray God’s “everlasting joy upon your heads” as we leave all that is behind and enter into a new decade. I pray that the joy of the Lord will be your strength each and every day.
