“Be full of joy in the Lord always…” – Philippians 4:4 (NCV)
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Lord gives us joy to help us cope with the challenges of life and to experience the fullness of life. There’s no law that says you must have joy; you have to desire and choose it.
When the joy of the Lord enters one’s life, you experience excess peace, happiness, and contentment continually. It makes you want to sing, jump, and shout to express the unending happiness that is in your soul, your inner being, even to your bones. Nothing materially matters but to remain in the presence of the Lord.
In John 15:11 (NIV), we read Christ speaking to His disciples saying, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” In the preceding verses, Jesus was encouraging His disciples to remain in His love, to abide in Him, and once they did this, their joy will be complete. They will become fruit-bearing, committed believers.
I have witnessed in worship sessions that saints of God, while worshipping, suddenly burst forth into laughter that lasts for a long time. I’ve learnt that this is joy that is full of glory. I encourage you to worship the Lord joyfully, pray continuously, and ask God for His Spirit that will cause you to experience the wonderful fruit of unrestrained spirit-filled joy (and contentment). With this kind of joy, you are contented in whatever state you are in.
Remember, in this world, the joy of the Lord is our strength. This results in our contentment. You are encouraged to rejoice in the Lord always; joy comes in the morning. There may be challenges in life that make you feel disheartened, like Psalmist David, but David said, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 – KJV).
Brethren, the redeemed of the Lord will experience everlasting joy if they endure to the end.
Read: Psalm 30:1; Isaiah 52:9
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 97; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 2; 2 Chronicles 3; 2 Chronicles 4; 2 Chronicles 5:1
