JOY
03rd Jul 2024
Dictionary definition of Joy: “A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.”
“You give me joy, deep in my heart - draw me closer, draw me closer
You give me joy that overflows, draw me closer
I’ll sing a song of praise, as I marvel at all Your ways
You are so wonderful Lord, You’re so faithful and true in all that You do
I’ll praise You with all of my heart.”
I woke this morning thinking about ‘joy’, questioning how much joy I had in me? If it’s lacking, how do I get more? I found myself singing a very old song that I don’t really like - “If you want joy you must shout for it /jump /dance /clap for it, the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
I went on to sing the song I have quoted above, ‘You give me joy, deep in my heart, draw me closer……’ and realised afresh that joy comes from a deep satisfaction of knowing the acceptance and love of Jesus. It’s an internal peace, not so much affected or produced by eternal forces or events.
We had great joy in hearing of the birth of Leo, our first great grandchild, and rejoiced in his safe arrival - but the joy of the Lord is beyond and deeper than anything released by external factors. When you have it, it is very tangible and without it you feel robbed and flat.
So when you feel joyless and dissatisfied, how do you go about restoring that deep sense of pleasure and happiness?
Learn to keep your eye on your joy level. It is a bit like the dip stick in our car engines for checking the oil level. If it’s low, you add more oil, essential for the engine to work efficiently, likewise your joy level is very important - it is associated with strength. Low joy = low strength!
Recognise joy comes from Jesus, it’s beyond the externals of life, so it’s to Him you must turn, as He is the joy-giver. So pause, reflect and see if any circumstances have affected your joy, and if any forgiveness is needed. Ask for a new infilling of God’s Holy Spirit and a tangible sense of His presence. Let thanksgiving be on your lips and in your heart. Reject fear and uncertainty, God knows everything about the present, past and future, and He is holding you and watching over your circumstances - you are not alone!
Even as you turn your eyes to Jesus lightness will come, and new joy will be released. “In His presence there is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
by Joyce Sibthorpe
