The word joy is found throughout the Old Testament. There are several Hebrew words for joy. Meanings range from gladness, happiness and joy to mirth, rejoicing, singing, shouting and dancing. In the Greek of the New Testament the words for joy encompass the sense of cheerfulness, gladness and of having greet joyfulness.

God wants our joy to be full: “Hitherto have ye asked me nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24; KJV). Nehemiah tells us that: “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10).

Things in our daily life may cause us joy but our true joy comes from God (Ps 16:11); in fact, as Christians, we can enter into God’s joy (Ps 51:12; 1 Peter 1:8; Matt 25:21).

This joy is founded in knowing who we are in Christ (2 Cor 5:21), our security in him (Heb 13:5), what we have in him (2 Cor 5:17), his love (Eph 3:19). “In thy presence is fullness of joy” (Ps 16:11).

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). As we spend time with God, in his word and in prayer, drawing close to him and surrendering to him, the Holy Spirit works in us to bring this joy. No one can take our joy from us (John 16:22), unless we allow them to. This joy will under gird us in trials (James 1:2). Jesus went to the cross for the joy of knowing what his sacrifice would achieve (Heb  12:2).

Spend time with God today and let his joy rise up and overwhelm you.

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