DEVOTIONAL

Discover Joy

 

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. - Psalm 126:2-3

 

Have you experienced tremendous joy because of what God has done in your life? Your heart was filled with joy and you burst into praise. This is exactly how the children of Israel felt during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The City of Zion or Jerusalem is a very significant place for the children of Israel. It is their center of worship.

 

The city of Jerusalem is located on top of the hill across Mt. Olives. Year after year, Jewish people who live from afar, will do their pilgrimage to the Holy City to worship. As they ascend to the city, they sing songs remembering what God has done for them through the years. They sing praises to God declaring the great and good things he has done.

 

As Christians, we are grateful for all the great things God has done over the years. We have seen God’s faithfulness in the midst of challenges and difficult and tragic situations. Our hearts are rejoicing because we have seen God’s faithfulness over the years. There are three fundamental truths we must keep in mind as we continue to celebrate what God has done

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1. God is the source of true joy.

 

“It is His joy that remains in us that makes our joy full.” - A. B. Simpson

 

“Joy has nothing to do with material things, or with a man's outward circumstance ... a man living in the lap of luxury can be wretched, and a man in the depths of poverty can overflow with joy.” - William Barclay

 

True joy can only be found in God alone for he is the source of what true joy is. There is no greater joy than having God or having Christ in our lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ made this possible for us. When we have Christ in our lives, circumstances and difficult situations will never take away true joy.

 

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” - John 15: 9-11

 

2. We have joy not because of what we have done or accomplished but because of what God has done.

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“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” - Isaiah 61:10

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Every time we hear the Old Testament saints speak of joy, it is always the result of what God has done. In this case, Isaiah speaks of God's salvation and righteousness. Isaiah understands his fallen, sinful nature. He is fully aware of his spiritual condition. He knows his sinfulness and his need for redemption. He knows human beings are separated from God because of sin.

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“1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God. your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” - Isaiah 59:1-2

 

3. Joy leads us to praise and worship God.

 

Joy is fundamentally associated with true worship. It is a prominent feature of our true worship to God. When we worship God, God instills joy in our hearts. When our hearts are filled with joy and gladness, we can’t help but praise and worship God. Our joy expresses our gratitude to God. Our joyful hearts declare the greatness and goodness of God.

 

“I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” - Psalm 9:2

 

4 “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.” - Psalm 27:4-6

 

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul tells us that joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit. When we become followers of Jesus Christ, we receive his Spirit. His Spirit produces joy in our lives that leads to sharing our faith to others. It is appropriate that we celebrate with joy for the great things God has done.