What is the joy of the Lord?

Answer

The happiness of the Lord is the joy in the heart that arises from knowing God, staying in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus was born, the angels proclaimed “good news of great joy” «And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. », (Luke 2:10). Everyone who encounters Jesus experiences, like the shepherds at the nativity, the joy He brings. Even before His birth, Jesus had brought joy, as evidenced in Mary’s song «And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. », (Luke 1:47) and by John’s reaction to hearing Mary’s voice when he “leaped for joy” in his mother’s womb «For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. », (Luke 1:44).

Jesus demonstrated joy in His ministry. He was not a somber ascetic; instead, His adversaries accused Him of being too joyful at times «The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! », (Luke 7:34). Jesus likened Himself to a bridegroom celebrating a wedding feast (Mark 2:18-20); He “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” «In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. », (L

Luke 10:21); He spoke of “my joy” « These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. », (John 15:11) and promised to give His disciples a lifetime supply of it «Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. », (John 16:24). Joy is reflected in many of Jesus’ parables, including the three stories in Luke 15, which mention “rejoicing in the presence of the angels” «Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. », (Luke 15:10) and end with a joyful shepherd, a joyful woman, and a joyful father.

Nehemiah told the repentant Israelites that the joy of the Lord would be their strength «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). The early church was characterized by gladness and the joy of the Lord (Acts 2:46;Acts 13:52), and “joy in the Holy Spirit” is a distinguishing mark of the kingdom of God «for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. », (Romans 14:17). Those who are part of the kingdom share in the kingdom’s delight.

Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)). In fact, it is our Christian duty to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). In Christ, the believer is “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” «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: », (1 Peter 1:8).

Because of its supernatural origin, the joy of the Lord—our gladness of heart—is present even through the trials of life. We know we are children of God, and no one can snatch us away from Him (John 10:28-29). We are heirs to “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade,” and no one can steal it from us (1 Peter 1:4; Matthew 6:20). We see the Author and Finisher of our faith, and, let the enemy rage ever so much, we know who wins in the end (Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 2).

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Adverse circumstances, instead of hindering our faith, can actually enhance our joy. Paul and Silas knew adversity as they sat with their feet in the stocks in a Philippian jail cell. Their legal rights had been violated. They had been arrested without cause and beaten without a trial. At midnight, since they couldn’t sleep, they sang—loudly—the praises of the Lord they were serving «And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. », (Acts 16:25). A miracle soon followed (verse 26).

The apoStyles in Jerusalem were arrested—twice—and ordered not to preach in Jesus’ name. The second time they faced the court, they were beaten. Unfazed, they returned home “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” and ready to preach some more «And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. », (Acts 5:41). Of course, the apostles were only following the example of our Lord, who had “for the joy set before him . . . endured the cross, scorning its shame” «looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. », (Hebrews 12:2).

The joy of the Lord may be inexplicable to the one who does not possess it. But, for the believer in Christ, the joy of the Lord comes as naturally as grapes on a vine. As we abide in Christ, the True Vine, we, the branches, are full of His strength and vitality, and the fruit we produce, including joy, is His doing «I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. », (John 15:5).