Who would have thought that a small word like this would be the name of a fruit that makes such an immense impact for good on a Christian’s life and then on the lives of others? And who would think that living without that resource would be so weakening to the inner man? David is a good example of this principle:
With the departure of joy, satisfaction is dissipated, for it is with the bucket of joy that we draw refreshment from the wells of salvation (Isa. 12:3). When joy is gone, service is affected. David discovered that his teaching, his testimony, and his worship had all been affected…David not only lost his own joy, he lost the ability to enjoy other people’s joy: “Make me to hear joy and gladness,” he prayed (Ps. 51:8) (Boyd Nicholson, Jul.-Aug. 1994 Counsel).
Actually, it is the joy of the Lord that softens the jarring blows which inevitably come to a believer. Many times in the Word do we read of an individual who is almost crushed, then with a return to focussing their eyes on the Lord, there comes a flood of joy (Asaph, Ps. 73, is a good example from the OT; the two on the Emmaus Road, Luke 24, from the NT). Listen to the words of Habakkuk (3:17-19) as he describes his recovery from despair:
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.
What is the secret to experiencing and maintaining the joy of the Lord? Perhaps a word study will help us.
The most common word for “joy” (Gk., chara, similar to chairo-, “rejoice”), signifies delight, gladness, exulting, or exuberance. It occurs 133 times in the NT (chara, 59 times; chairo-, 74 times). There are also several other words used to render joy or rejoice.
Obviously it would be impossible here to look at all the occurrences of joy in the Bible, so we will limit our search to the lovely letter written to the saints at Philippi, as it contains its fullest mention in the NT.
Remember the setting in which these words were first read. In the group gathered there was one Philippian jailer. What would he have thought as he heard the words, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4)? Did Paul really mean always? Obviously! The jailer would think back to the first time he met Paul. After being unjustly tried, whipped and thrown into prison, Paul and his companion, Silas, sang praises to God at midnight. The subject of joy was not theory to Paul; it was lived out in the midst of his life and ministry.
Joy is mentioned about 20 times in this short epistle. These verses cluster around three main ideas: the Source, the Secret and the Strength of joy.
The Source of Joy
In Philippians, we read the reasons for rejoicing time and again. Clearly there is a cause and effect relationship here. Notice phrases like: “…I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice”(1:18) and “For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me” (2:18).
What were some of the sources of joy in Paul’s life? The list is long and varied. In 1:3-5, he describes his prayer life as marked by steady joy, first in thinking of the saints, and then about their fellowship in the gospel. In 1:18, it is his joy in the gospel being preached, even if “in pretense.” In 2:2, Paul longs to rejoice in seeing the unity of the Christians, while in 2:15-16, he also longs to rejoice in the day of Christ, when he looks back on their holy lives and bright testimony. He even finds cause to rejoice in sacrificing himself for the Christians (2:17-18). Ultimately, of course, all true joy finds its source in Christ’s joy, “…that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (Jn. 15:11). So Paul writes: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord” (Phil. 3:1; see also 4:10, the immediate cause for the letter).
The Secret of Joy
There are many sorrows in life. How is it possible to be joyful in a world like this? This is joy’s secret. It is essential to realize that sorrow is an emotion of the soul, while joy is a fruit of the Spirit. As Paul would write elsewhere, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”
It is not always possible to rejoice in circumstances, the variables in the equation of life. But for the believer, the constants which are found in Christ never change—His promises, His provisions and His person.
The Strength of Joy
Joy is a secret weapon. On occasion Israel in weakness went into battle singing the victory song (2 Chron. 20:22; Ps. 20–21). So Paul could state with confidence, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). He had learned what Nehemiah knew, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
O Jesus, Lord! there is, indeed
Enough in Thee to meet our need,
Enough in Thee to make us glad!
Why should Thy ransomed ones be sad?
This hope have we before our God,
Salvation through Thy precious blood.
What joy it is to walk with Thee!
But O what joy Thy face to see!
And when our bliss is all complete,
We still shall worship at Thy feet,
And mention nothing to our God
But that same ever precious blood.
– Mary Peters
Written by John Nicholson III