Joy to the World?

The Bible definitely gives us all sorts of encouragement toward joy.  

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”            Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:9-10 (NIV)

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.’”   Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

At Christmas, joy is all over the place…in carols, on ornaments, and decorations. But how do we live joyously? In a pandemic? When things are not how we want them to be?  

The answer: Biblical joy. In the Bible, joy has very little to do with what is happening in our lives or around our lives. What is Biblical joy?

Biblical joy is not a result of where we are in life, but where we are in Christ.  

Happiness is all about the situation, the circumstances. If I’m on a vacation with people I love - I am happy. Joy is far from that definition. Paul writes things like: “In all my troubles, my joy overflows,” and “I rejoice in my sufferings”.   

Then there is this verse: 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NIV)  

How can we fulfill this command? Joy is a choice. To rejoice always doesn’t make sense, but to rejoice always in the Lord makes perfect sense. There will be days there are no circumstances to rejoice in. Instead, we have grief, loss, and frustration. But you can still rejoice in the Lord. Biblical joy is not based on circumstances.  

There was a guy named Mark who attended our church. We got the news that Mark had fallen off his roof. The damages were spectacular. His arm, both legs, wrist, hip - all broken or had fractures. Several people decided to go visit Mark to encourage him in his recovery. They went expecting to encourage Mark. Instead, Mark encouraged each person who came to check on him. In fact, the word got out: You ought to go visit Mark! How is that possible? The joy of the Lord is a spiritual condition.

Joy Is Your Strength

The last part of Nehemiah 8:10 says: “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Your spiritual strength is connected to…joy. If your joy is strong, your spiritual strength is strong. Joy is better than most anything. Joy is better than shopping therapy, better than the best present, better than chocolate, better than the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl (I know it’s hard to hear that). Joy is so powerful.  

So, what will Satan, your enemy, try to do about your joy? Steal it. He will remind you of all the reasons you have to be bitter, frustrated or angry. He will try to get you to focus on what you don’t have instead of what you do have. And if you give into his plan, you will little by little…lose…your…joy. And your strength will be gone.

The Best Way to Have Joy at Christmas and Beyond

“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. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”   John 15:10-11 (NIV)

Here is how to have joy: Sacrifice for the Lord. Love others. Serve people. Meet needs. Obey His commandments. Profound joy comes when we obey the Word of God. Obviously, that assumes we are reading the Bible. And that we will turn from sin and disobedience in our lives. Obeying the Word of God produces joy. Joy comes after we obey.  

The Bottom Line

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”            Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

Which day? This day. The gift you and I have received - this day. We can rejoice in the Lord each and every day.Christmas reminds us that the Messiah arrived as a baby in a manger and we can rejoice!