Be Joyful
Be Joyful
Why do you think God created joy? That might sound like a crazy question, but I believe it’s worth asking, as well as worth trying to answer. As I was researching biblical references for joy, rejoice, glad, and delight, I came across some astonishing observations. First, God Himself experiences joy from Heaven, as described in Zephaniah 3:17, which says, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” God actually delights in US! Can you imagine that? What an amazing gift from Him!
Second, joy is so important to God that His Word gives us numerous and specific commands to rejoice, to delight, to be glad, and even to count it all joy. For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” If it’s God’s will for us to be joyful, then I am sure He would provide the means for us to experience it. Why? Because He delights in us!
As a matter of fact, if we acknowledge the work that the Holy Spirit does in us, we will see that one of the fruits evident from abiding with the Lord is joy! And that’s a promise. Psalm 37:4 exhorts us to “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Wow! Sounds to me like being joyful certainly has its benefits. For instance, Nehemiah 8:10b tells us, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” And this benefit comes with a heavenly guarantee!
Let us Walk in His Way.
Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for creating joy. Nothing else fills our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits like joy. What a good gift You have given us, Lord. May we not squander our joy, but rather, share it as You provide it in our daily lives. Even when we persevere through trials, You tell us to count it all joy, because making that choice will reap perseverance, maturity, and wholeness in us. What a mighty God we serve! Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel
author of “Walk in His Way” for
Carry the Light Ministries
