The Choice of Joy

Saturday, November 16, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

John 16:22–24

Joy is not optional for a Christian. Certainly sadness and suffering and heartbreak are real in this fallen world, but joy can still be present even in the worst of circumstances. As believers, we have the resource to always be joyful. Paul was in prison when he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). He had no outward reason for joy, but in our faithful Father and His love Paul could find reason to rejoice.

Matthew Henry wrote, “All our joy must terminate in God; and our thoughts of God must be delightful thoughts. Observe, it is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice in Him always; at all times, in all conditions; even when we suffer for Him, or are afflicted by Him. We must not think the worse of Him or of His ways for the hardships we meet with in His service. There is enough in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the worst circumstance on earth. Joy in God is a duty of great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to it.”

Joy is not something we produce or manufacture on our own, nor does it come from any outward source. Rather, joy comes as a byproduct as we obediently walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22).

Today's Growth Principle: 

A Christian who is living without joy is missing out on one of the great blessings God gives His children who choose to rejoice in Him.