These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 15:11 (KJV)
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)
What was the joy of Christ? In Habakkuk 3:17-19, we find both the cause and effect of the Christian’s joy. We find the order reversed. Rejoicing, the effect, before joy, the cause.
- The God of my salvation.
- The Lord God, my strength.
Most Christians live in discouragement with little joy. Why? Because of our sinfulness (Matthew 24:12) and because of our situations. (Matthew 14:30)
Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all. For the world, joy is found in circumstances. Circumstances are your overall circumstances or condition in life, including everything that happens to you. For the Christian, joy is found despite circumstances. (2 Corinthians 7:4) Loss of joy comes through:
- Losing the freshness of our salvation.
- Losing the burning love for our Saviour.
- Losing the excitement of our service.
Where does a Christian find joy?
- Christian joy is found in salvation (Luke 10:20)
- Christian joy is found in the Holy Ghost (Romans 15:13)
- Christian joy is found in God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:9-12)
- Christian joy is found in Church (Psalms 42:4)
- The joy of singing (Psalms 95:1-2)
- The joy of praise (Psalms 27:6)
- Christian joy is found in worship (Nehemiah 12:43)
- Christian joy is found in hope (Psalm 30:5)
- Christian joy is found in eternity (Jude1:24)
- Christian joy is found in sinners saved (Luke 15:10)
- Christian joy is found in a finished course (Acts 20:24)
- Christian joy is found in the Saviour (1 Peter 1:8, Psalms 16:11)