Joy

Joy eclipses just feelings. Joy emanates out of something deep, a grace which covers all of anti-joy. Yes, all joy inhibiters are broken in the conscience, all doubts in the mind. Even death has no stinging dominance over the care free soul. Joy comes as a by-product of grace, which carries out the wonderful effects of unconditional love, removing all conditional “ifs, ands, or buts.” It comes from God, the ultimate source of all things.

“And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. “1Samuel 18:6 

Joy came as the warriors defeated the enemy of the people. Indeed there was singing and dancing. So it is with our joy, released when all of our enemies disappear, and that through the battling of those designated to fight for us. Yes, Christ has fought our battle.

” So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy.” 1Chronicles_15:25 

2Samuel 6:9  gives the background story, “And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me? 

(Uzzah had steadied the ark and was smitten by God, )

“So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.  And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household. 2Samuel 6:10-11

In this instance, joy came to God’s people as the presence of God returned out of the house of Obededom to the city of David.

For us , circumstances may lead us to distrust the presence of God. However as it was with Obededom, the presence of God brought great blessing. As David brought that blessing home, great joy returned to the people.

Another instance:

  “And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. 
And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord , by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.   Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord : and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.1Chronicles 29:7-9

Great Joy is seen in the purity of heart demonstrated at this giving to the temple. A cause purely outside of any individual’s interest, but wholly for the benefit of the nation. Joy is seen here when men give up their own rights for the good of the whole. Indeed, we see joy when men are released from self-centered occupation, and open their hearts to a bigger picture, a greater cause.

There was joy in Esther’s story when” As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies,” Esther_9:22 

And, “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.” Psalm 126:1 

After 70 years, now a deliverance from captivity brought great joy.

Proverbs 15:23 teaches,  ” A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”

Proverbs 21:15,   “It is joy to the just to do judgment: “and,
Proverbs 23:24 ” The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

”  For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail” Ecclesiastes 2:26

Matthew 2:10 teaches, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

Galatians 5:22  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy …”

2Corinthians 1:24  “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy…”

Finally, John relates.

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 1John 1:4 

Friends, all has been prepared, let joy fill your soul today.