Joy is so much more than a noun. Happiness, (an adjective by the way) is contingent on our circumstances or lack of sorrows. When we're happy we are showing it through our contentment. It can be hard to achieve at times and is definitely not for keeps. Joy is always available to us through Jesus. Although defined as a feeling of great pleasure or happiness, joy goes much deeper than just something we feel. It's what we believe and cling to.
Nations, hear the Word of the Lord, and tell it among the far off coasts and islands! Say, "The one who scattered Israel will gather him. He will watch over him as a shepherd guards his flock, for the Lord has ransomed Jacob and redeemed him from the power of one stronger than he." They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant with joy because of the Lord's goodness, because of the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil, and because of the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like an irrigated garden, and the will no longer grown weak from hunger. Then the young women will rejoice with dancing, while young and old men rejoice together. I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief. I will refresh the priests with an abundance, and my people will be satisfied with my goodness. This is the Lords declaration.
Jeremiah 31:10-14
God promises to turn our sorrow to joy. He sent Jesus to save the lost and heal the sick so we know that true joy isn't found in anything other than Him. Even today, He is our good news of great joy. We experience joy when we surrender our will to Jesus. We show our joy when we rejoice in Him! Rejoicing is an action that can help others see the joy that only Christ can bring to our lives. God gives us much to rejoice about! While we wait for the second advent of Christ, we can use our in between time to grow in faith and joy and help others do the same.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
John 15:1-11
When we abide in Him, we choose to love and obey every single day. God promises joy and other fruits of the Spirit in us so we can bear it as a testimony to His glory. Today is a time of preparation. Like preparing a harvest before a long, bitter winter, we should desire to help other's prepare for the day Christ returns to call His own home.
After this I heard something like a loud voice of a vast multitude in heaven saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, because His judgments are true and righteous, because He has judged the notorious prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality; and He has avenged the blood of His servants that was on her hands. A second time they said, "Hallelujah! Her smoke ascends forever and ever! Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who is seated on the throne, saying, Amen! Hallelujah! A voice cam from the throne, saying, Praise our God, all His servants, and the ones who fear Him, both small and great! Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of thunder, saying, Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give Him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb ahs come, and His bride has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!" He also said to me, "These words of God are true." Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold firmly to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Revelation 19:1-10
God will prevail. Darkness will end. Every evil will be no more. Victory belongs to Jesus. In heaven, our joy will finally be complete! What a wonderful celebration we have to look forward to! Happy Blogmas and Merry Christmas!
