Joy in the Lord

My joy is the joy of you all.—2 Corinthians 2:3

Brent Hislop

In scripture the word joy is from a variety of Hebrew and Greek words that convey various shades of meaning—from simple gladness to exultation or transport. One Hebrew word conveys the thought of spinning around with pleasurable emotion.

Joy is an attitude of mind attributed to God. God takes pleasure in his works (Psalms 104:31); in Jesus (Matthew 3:17); and in those that reverence him (Psalms 147:11).

Joy is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22), and is spoken of as a result of faith (Philippians 1:25) and hope (Hebrews 3:6).

Joy is everywhere spoken of in scripture as highly prized and to be sought after (Psalms 5:11; Luke 6:23; Philippians 4:4).

Joy is contrasted to sadness, weeping, and sorrow (Psalms 30:5; John 16:20–22; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 7:30). Perhaps it is in this contrast we find a good definition of what joy is to the Christian. Christians are told to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) and that godly sorrow works repentance to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). The Christian is to fear, to sorrow, and to rejoice. While seemingly incongruous, they clearly are not. Fear and sorrow can bring joy and rejoicing. We illustrate this with a simple and yet powerful lesson drawn from the eighth chapter of the book of Nehemiah.

Having completed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall under the leadership of Nehemiah, we read that the people assembled themselves as one, to hear Ezra the priest and others read and expound the law.

The account conveys the profound impact the reading of the law had on the people. For these were either those who had gone into the Babylonian captivity or their descendants. As such they had lost much of their connection to the law. As a people they had lost their identity and their understanding of their special relationship with God.

The account says from first light till midday the law was read. Nehemiah 8:8 continues, "so they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave them the sense and caused them to understand the reading." The reaction of the people was to mourn. "For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law." They realized how far they had strayed from the Lord and how culpable they were.

But Nehemiah spoke to the people and said, "This day is holy unto the Lord your God, mourn not, nor weep . . . go your way—eat the fat and drink the sweet . . . neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah would have the people to understand that the consciousness of sin brought by their renewed understanding of the law was not the ultimate end of the law. But rather repentance to renewal—a renewed relationship with God and the joy of this relationship—would be their strength.

And so it is for the Christian. We stray, we fall short and like Israel of old we suffer a separation from God until godly sorrow leads to repentance and renewed joy in God. Full conviction in God’s forgiveness of our failing is fundamental to the rejoicing Christian. In 2Peter 1:8,9, Peter says that if we fail in the development of the fruits and graces of the spirit, it is because we are blind and cannot see afar off, we are not rejoicing in hope and faith, but rather we have forgotten that we have been cleansed of our sins.

The Christian joy is founded on the initial forgiveness of sins through Christ. But perhaps few things are as difficult for one sensitive to their failings and imperfections as to realize God’s continued forgiveness. They are inhibited from rejoicing in the Lord as they are weighed down by guilt. David’s words in Psalms 32:11 are very telling in this regard. "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart."

These words of David are specially meaningful when we consider them in their context. Psalm 32 is David’s psalm of repentance upon the acknowledgement of his sin in having Uriah slain so he could marry Bathsheba. In verses 3 and 4 he says when he failed to acknowledge his sin he wasted away. But with acknowledgement and repentance (vs. 5) came forgiveness and, as David embraced God’s forgiveness, rejoicing in the Lord (vs. 11).

It is remarkable to think of the severity of the sin and yet God forgave the repentant one. This is a lesson Christians must take to heart if they would not be guilt-ridden or discouraged and live below their privilege of rejoicing in the Lord.

We rejoice in faith and hope in the kingdom, where the faithful will drink of the cup of joy anew (Matthew 26:29). We rejoice in the kingdom prospect that "when his glory is revealed, we may be glad with exceeding joy." We rejoice in the prospect of an incorruptible inheritance, undefiled, that fades not away, reserved for the faithful, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 4:13). "Wherein we greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of mankind."—1Peter 1:6–9

This is truly the joy of transport—"eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit." We know something of the joy that shall be, for ourselves and for all creation, and this should illuminate and rejoice our hearts so that the inward joy will find outward expression in the words of our lips and the deeds of our hands, bearing true witness to the majesty and glory of God.

What a privilege it is for the child of God to walk in God’s light and truth that leads to the altar of sacrifice and unto God, our exceeding joy (Psalms 43:4). Paul says of God, "in him we live, move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). The righteous are to rejoice before the Lord and sing praises to his name (Psalms 68:3,4).

In Psalm 16:11 we read that in God’s presence is fullness of joy. This is to be a present reality. Imagine for a moment this transporting prospect. Yet this joy is not to be only in prospect of what shall be, it must also be a present reality, rejoicing in what is current, even rejoicing in the midst of tribulation and temptations (2 Corinthians 7:4; James 1:2). We are to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4).

Present rejoicing includes taking joy in our brethren (Philippians 4:1). Paul encourages us to spread joy in our fellowship (Ephesians 5:18,19). "Be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." The Christian is not to be morose or sullen—if so we are not only living below our privileges, we are not bearing true witness to the majesty and glory of God.

What a privilege it is for a child of God to walk in God’s light and truth. They bring such a child to the altar of sacrifice of thanksgiving and unto God, which produces exceeding joy. (Psalms 43:4)

To the faithful will come the privilege, yes, but much more the incomprehensible joy, of being ushered into the presence of God for the first time. Imagine the moment. What would we think or say? What joy that we may extol his praises for eternity.

"I will extol thee, my God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty and of thy wondrous works. The Lord is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee."—Psalms 145:1–5,9,10