JOY FROM THE LORD
JOY came into the world long before the angels announced the birth of Jesus with “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Lk. 2:19). Many years earlier Nehemiah told his people, “Don’t be sad, because the joy from the Lord is your strength!” (Neh. 8:10). And the prophet Isaiah promises, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isa. 55:12).
And according to John, after Jesus had told his disciples many things in preparing them for his imminent death and departure, he said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (Jn. 15:11).
The English word “joy” translates at least thirteen different Hebrew words, which suggests the richness of this “joy” among the Hebrews. This richness is expressed as pleasure or delight in persons, in things, in events, and includes delight in God’s law, God’s word, God’s saving activity, as well as God’s coming Kingdom reign on earth.
This “joy from the Lord” was expressed with singing, shouting, playing of instruments, accompanied with dancing, leaping, and stomping of the feet. It appears to me that expressing “joy” by the Hebrews was much nosier, and more physically active than I have experienced during worship times in many of the churches I have attended. In fact, the prophet Nehemiah writes that during the dedication of the completed wall surrounding Jerusalem, the joy-filled worship was so great and noisy that, “The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.” (Neh. 12:43).
Most importantly, I note that “joy” in the Old Testament was something to be shared, whether it be recovery from illness, gathering of the crops, deliverance from death or from a human enemy. Every significant life event in the community had a festive quality that needed to be joyfully expressed by the community.
In the New Testament, “joy” rises to a new crescendo as it comes to a focus in Jesus Christ. Throughout the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles, “joy” flows from the coming of Jesus and his gift of salvation which is announced with a shout of “good news.”
And wherever Jesus went, his presence and words brought “joy.” But this “joy” finds its richest expression in the resurrection story. And Luke ends his “good news” reporting with Jesus’ ascension into heaven and his disciples returning “to Jerusalem with great joy” and staying there “continually at the temple, praising God.” (Lk. 24:52-53).
Three observations emerge for me from these brief reflections regarding “joy” in the New Testament.
- “Joy” is centered in Jesus’ as person and spiritual presence, and not just in the events or circumstances surrounding him.
- “Joy” is based not so much as a feeling or emotion, but more as perception, that is, a way of seeing persons or things. This includes a way of seeing the person of Jesus as being the meaning of life lived in relationship to him.
- “Joy” is a gift of God, given to us as fruit of his Holy Spirit living in us. This makes it possible for the New Testament writers to speak of experiencing “joy” even in adversity, suffering, and persecution.
These few biblical insights regarding “joy” should remind us, as a Christian community, to give attention to the quality and quantity of “joy” being expressed in our conversations and corporate worship times.
And we must not forget that the “joy” that flows from Jesus is very dependent on our nurturing a daily relationship with him as our Savior and Lord, for he is the source of all life and joy. I suggest that we frequently examine our “joy” with the question, “How grateful am I to God for loving me?”
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Most importantly, the biblical story makes it clear that “joy” is a community-shared experience. As we gather weekly, each Sunday morning, we need to be remembering that God created us in love and for love. And he created us to be nurtured in a community of meaningful fellowship and joy-filled worship.
God intends for us to be his children of joy. And when the church is a singing, praising, pilgrim people marching together toward its heavenly kingdom and eternal home, the ugly deceptions of Satan are exposed. May it be so!
“God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to out King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.” (Ps. 46:5-7).
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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress – 5/7/26
Healing Rays of Righteousness 