“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:10-11).
Joy is the inner sense of well-being. It has the qualities of happiness, satisfaction, and peace of mind. Joy is more than a feeling or emotion. It is the true mood of one’s spirit of gladness and contentment.
Joy has a more enduring nature than happiness. Some very trivial things and incidents can bring a momentary happiness. Yet when the thing or incident has passed, happiness will also have passed. Though joy is not so soon touched by the external circumstances, it rides through the difficult times of adversity and remains alive.
Joy does not know disappointment or defeat. Joy is not hurt or offended. Joy cannot be knocked down by tragedy. Danger cannot quench joy. Distasteful tasks and duties do not overcome joy. Opposition does not defeat joy.
Joy is that undisturbed peace of mind. It is that inner assurance of a grace that will be ever near.
The greatest of all joys is the joy of sins forgiven. To have been brought face to face with the truths of a condemning conscience and to have the peace of God move in is an unmovable joy.
James speaks, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2). He then continues to explain that trial and temptation bring about a good fruit of patience. Furthermore, it is the child of God who is tempted. The godless man does not experience the tests of temptation, for he flows with the stream of nature and his peers. Consequently, he does not experience the joys of victory over temptation. Along with the joys of sins forgiven is the hope of eternal life. Psalm 23:4 states, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” Joy that rules when fear is gone is said to be the greatest of joy. Even while the tears of sorrow are falling, the undercurrents of joy are flowing deep and strong.
To lead a soul to the Lord is a two-fold joy—the sinner’s joy at being saved and the joy of leading one to the Lord. Another joy is that of loving the commands of God and keeping them.
Joy can be found by those who will seek it. Jesus said, “Seek, and ye shall find” (Matt. 7:7). Surely this includes joy with salvation. It can be seen in the beauties of nature, in the fellowship of kindred spirits, in a task well done, in the pondering of sacred things, and in secret prayer. There is joy in suffering for a good cause. The many who died for the cause of Christ did not lose their joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and when the Spirit is invited into the heart, joy will move in with Him.
Joy is the antidote of depression. No person can at the same time be depressed and joyous. A close walk with God holds joy.
102 Devotional Sermonettes, Used by Permission
