We sing “Joy to the World!” And “How Great Our Joy.” But what is Joy, and how can we have it, especially right now, with pain, fear and tragedy everywhere?
Merriam-Webster defines Joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” But emotions fluctuate with circumstance and experience. So how can we be joyful when things are going badly? Do we fake it?
No, because Joy is much more than an emotion.
“Feelings are something you have; not something you are.”
Shannon L. Alder
God is Joy. It is His essence and His nature. Majestic splendor emanates from him, he is the source of strength and joy. (1 Chronicles 16:27 New English Translation).
God’s Joy was reflected in creation when He called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). He asks Job,
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you know.
Who measured it? I am sure you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
What was it built on? Who laid its most important stone?
When it happened, the morning stars sang together.
All the angels shouted with joy.
Job 38:4-7 New International Reader’s Version
God “rejoices” and “delights” in His people:
God says, And I will be full of joy because of Jerusalem.
I will take delight in my people. Isaiah 65:19a NIRV
God rejoices in you:
The Lord your God is with you.
He is the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you.
In his love he will no longer punish you.
Instead, he will sing for joy because of you.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIRV
“God is so joyous that he finds joy even in us.”
Henry Donald Maurice Spence (1826-1917)
Jesus was filled with Joy:
At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.”
Luke 10:21 New Living Translation
And Jesus approached Calvary with Joy. (Hebrews 12:2)
So Joy is not just a feeling you have when things are good. It is much more.
