I recently read an article describing the many benefits of experiencing joy in life. Obviously, there are benefits to your mental well-being. There are certainly physical benefits from joy since joy will decrease stress. There are benefits to the brain, heart, and a host of other places in the body that benefit from joy. Likewise, spiritually the benefits are numerous including the increase of strength and fortitude.
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV) — 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Notice, however, the joy for a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ is different from the joy of the world. The follower of Christ focuses upon the joy of the Lord.
John 15:11 (ESV) — 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV) — 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Whereas the joy found in the world is happiness, as in happy circumstances, the joy of the Lord or the joy from the Lord is not dependent upon circumstances, rather the working of the Holy Spirit within, as in fruit that is produced by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Very often this joy is produced in circumstances that are contrary to what we think would produce joy.
Acts 13:50–52 (ESV) — 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
This is why we “rejoice in the Lord” because He is able to do more than we could ask, think, or imagine, including bringing joy in an unjoyful experience, love in an unlovable situation, peace in a time of trouble, etc. It’s not our ability to produce fruit like this. It’s our dependency upon the work of God through His Holy Spirit to which we stand amazed, but benefit greatly from the joy He has produced.
Philippians 4:4–7 (ESV) — 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 12:3 (ESV) — 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
The wells of salvation could be called the wells of grace because salvation is God’s demonstration of grace through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every time we draw from the well as in considering another aspect of the salvation that God has brought to us, it brings great joy.
Romans 5:7–11 (ESV) — 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
As we consider the aspect of salvation in reconciliation, we consider the magnificent work of God in reconciling us to Himself by the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18–21 (ESV) — 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Reconciliation is not just a legal term. Reconciliation is the act of God taking us from being His enemies and deserving of His wrath to accepting us and even rejoicing over us!
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) — 17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
No wonder David was so astounded in the thought of God’s action but also God’s motivation.
Psalm 18:19 (ESV) — 19 He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
There’s only one thing to do upon every thought of the action and motivation of God, rejoice or express joy in the Lord, and this without any dependence upon the circumstances of life.
Philippians 4:4 (ESV) — 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Habakkuk 3:17–19 (ESV) — 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
This kind of joy will cause your very being to know multiple benefits.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out the PowerBreak podcast wherever you download podcasts, or at www.bobbrubaker.com.
