Joy-Promise and Presence

Bottomline: Joy is a reality

A dark world needs light. A world of sorrow needs a powerful source of joy.

Everlasting joy comes only from Jesus.

Isaiah

The New International Version (Chapter 35)

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;4 say to those with fearful hearts,“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.7 The burning sand will become a pool the thirsty ground bubbling springs.In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way.The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.9 No lion will be there ,nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there.But only the redeemed will walk there,10 and those the LORD has rescued will return.They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

The New International Version (Chapter 51)

11 Those the LORD has rescued will return.They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

The joy of the Lord is not dependent on our circumstances, it’s fulfilled by His presence.

Psalm

The New International Version Psalm 30

10 Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me;

LORD, be my help.”

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.

LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm

The New International Version (Psalm 16)

1 Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

A world of cynicism and pessimism, needs strong joy.

Luke

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Lasting joy from Jesus will give you contentment that goes beyond your circumstances.

Matthew

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit ,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers ,for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Phillipians

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

The New International Version. (2011). (Php 4:4). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Joy can look like foolishness for those who lack faith.

Romans

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Joy is a choice not merely a feeling

Joy is one of your greatest witnesses to the power of The Gospel

Joy from Jesus is a gift that cannot be earned and cannot be stolen