G’day Everyone!
   I am back! from the exams. Not quite as good as the resurrection of Jesus, but I am back all the same.

I have been thinking alot about JOY recently, and how it differs from happiness. And what sort of “happy” feelings, or internal rejoicings appear in the bible.

Just a few of my thoughts about Joy.

We get it from being in Gods presence.
“You show me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy, in Your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11)

It is a serious offence to God to serve him without it.
“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you …” (Duet 20: 47-48)

We are to still have it through (or because of) trials and sufferings 
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (1:2-3)

“To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 4:13)

Even though we are sorrowful, sad, grieving, we are always rejoicing
We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;  as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;  as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (1 Cor 6:8-10)

Learning about Joy in Christ is amazing. It is deep, oh so deep. Deep enough to lodge itself unshakably in our heart, and cause us to be able to rejoice in times of sorrow, to help us persevere through sufferings and trials. Jesus Christ gives it to us ohh so lavishly! Let us lives as if we have got it.

One question still pops up in my mind. Paul says that joy can, and he indeed prays for it to, increase. What then can we do, to get it. It seems as if we are commanded to have it if we are to serve. hmm….

More on Joy to come…