I have been doing a little refresher word study on the word “joy” from the scriptures. Many of the scriptures that I looked up are very familiar. I think it is important that we consider some of these verses again because “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) 

We know that there are many people who felt hopeless before the elections and many either still do, or do now because they were not happy with the results. Romans 15:13 says that hope causes joy (and peace) to abound. So without hope, you cannot tap into the kind of joy that will sustain you through the days ahead.

Psalm 30:5 states that “weeping may endure (meaning — lodge as a guest) for a night (temporarily) but joy (the actual word used is a shout of rejoicing, loud cheering in triumph, singing) comes in the morning.” Wow. Even when we are going through trials, etc., the joy of the Lord can sustain us. Of course you could just self-medicate, find a temporary diversion, but in the end you would still have to deal with the circumstances.

I know that one of the major keys to walking and abiding in the joy of the Lord, is daily time in His presence. Psalm 16:11 says “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” “Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16) If you study that concept out a little more (Matthew 13:20-21; 25:21) you would see that in order for you to receive the Word with joy, the Word must be deeply rooted (not superficial) and that faithfulness and obedience play a significant role in walking in that place of peace and joy. 

Remember that Jesus’ joy is in us and He is fullness of joy (John 15:13). When we spend time in the secret place with Him (He is the living Word — John 1:1), it begins to come alive in our lives, it becomes our very sustenance (He is also called the Bread of Life — John 6:35). 

When we partake of Him daily, His joy will sustain us through the most horrendous trials. James 1:2-8 (read it all) states “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing … .” (v2-4) 2 Corinthians 7:4 further promises that we can be “exceedingly joyful in all of our tribulations.” Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for their testimony, but while they were still hurting and bound in chains, they began to praise and magnify the Lord in that Philippian jail cell. 

When God supernaturally made a way of escape for them, they not only stayed where they were, but kept the jailer from killing himself and then later led him to a saving knowledge of the One they were worshipping. He and his whole household (and probably other prisoners as well) were saved on that night as a result of the joy of the Lord that sustained them during that severe trial. The letter to the Philippians mentions joy and rejoicing more times than any other epistle.

Joy is part of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and that means we must be continuously connected to the vine to receive the nourishment needed to grow in our joy. From what the Word of God says, I know that the promise of joy, the power of joy and the practical outworking of that joy in our everyday lives is not only possible but is an absolute necessity. Spend time each and every day cultivating an intimacy with the One who is joy fully expressed. Only then will you have the joy that will cause others to desire what you have. 

Mean, cold, joyless religion is not palatable to anyone. His joy abiding in you is one of the greatest testimonies to the reality of what we preach and believe.