The Bible shows 3 types of JOY:
- Emotional: the emotional state
- Positional: the disposition or trait
- Spiritual: the spiritual fruit
Here are the scriptures where we see this JOY…
Luke 2:10 NLT
but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great JOY to all people…”
John 15:11 NLT
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my JOY. Yes, your JOY will overflow!
Galatians 5:22 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
James 1:2 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great JOY.
1 Peter 1:8 NLT
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
God empowers us to be full of JOY.
Full of JOY
Philippians 4:4 NLT
Always be full of JOY in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Romans 12:12 NLT
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
God provides abundant JOY.
Abundant JOY
John 16:24 NLT
You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant JOY.
The JOY God gives is everlasting—never ending JOY.
Everlasting JOY
Psalms 22:26 NLT
The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting JOY.
Isaiah 61:7 NLT
Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting JOY will be yours.
JOY is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible.
In the original Hebrew language the word for JOY is sason which is a sudden burst of exuberance sparked by external stimulus. That unexpected winning score on the final buzzer of the big game.
In the Greek language the word for JOY is simcha (Sim bACH) living with a sense of joy, mission and purpose. Moving forward and growth. Simcha is a social emotion that is experienced as a “we” rather than an “I”. Shared gladness. Greek is chara (χαρά)
This is the ability to see through trials, hardships, and sufferings with JOY. By faith seeing God’s justice and reward with JOY. God is the object and source of JOY.
God was unhappy when the people of God failed to serve him with JOY:
Deuteronomy 28:47-48 NLT
If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you. You will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. The Lord will put an iron yoke on your neck, oppressing you harshly until he has destroyed you.
JOY is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and from hope in His word.
JOY is connected to God’s call for us to REJOICE.
REJOICE is actively showing or expressing the position of JOY.
Sometimes, Jesus would walk into a room and immediately call people to joy instead of using the standard “hello.”
Psalms 5:11 NLT
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
Luke 10:20 NLT
“…But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
Today I pray for you to be filled with JOY. And, again the next day and the next day. If JOY is not a regular characteristic of your life it should be. JOY is a gift from God the enemy cannot steal away. It depends on God not you so it is everlasting. JOY is a game changer in how we pray and live. May your expectation of JOY now increase in Jesus name.
Over to You!
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