God of Joy

You are the God of Joy

It is my heart that You fill

With brilliant sunrises

Your boundless love holds me still.

When a phrase catches my ear, then I must write. Last Lord’s Day during a prayer, our young Worship Minister prayed to the ‘God of Joy’. And my heart stood still. Mother’s Day, and our children remembered me and showed their love, each in their own unique ways. I counted my blessings and gave thanks. I realized that it isn’t the gift; it is the remembering that brings joy.

Who is the author of the Joy that I feel in my heart? How does that joy continue to bubble forth like an ever-flowing fountain of thirst quenching water? Are there six steps to achieving that feeling of joy? No. Rather, it is a matter of relationship in a day-to-day living – that incorporates minute-to-minute attention. There is no ‘vacation’ from ‘being’ in a relationship.

Joy is not the vapid burst of happiness of ownership of the latest electronic gadget. Joy is not another step up the corporate ladder to the pinnacle of business success. Joy is not a frenetic shopping trip to fill the coffers with things. Sales wet the appetite for more. My dear husband’s response to a sale is – We would save more money if we didn’t buy it! Such logical financial wisdom is hard to argue with, and punctures the aura of anticipated ownership. Joy is not an event that gives the illusion of ‘happily ever after’.

Joy is a reflection of God through a smile and a soul-deep feeling of fulfilment that doesn’t disappear like a bubble in the sun. Joy is in God’s Creation – the myriad shapes and colors of flowers. The sky is a panorama of joy with its ever-changing clouds with tinges of pink, startling oranges. The majesty of trees lifting their arms to pray is a source of joy. The sweat of the brow in a job well done is joy. Joy is serving others in small ways. Letting them know you care in the name of Jesus is like a hug, it is returned.

Joy is an attitude of humility and thankfulness and sacrifice. Joy is an attitude of worship. Joy emanates from the heart, the mind and the soul – when one belongs to the Lord. Joy is knowing that God is omnipotent, omniscient, a Spirit cannot be denied.

Mother walked outside in her flower garden one summer day. I followed her and watched as she exclaimed over each flower in joy. She asked me if I didn’t think they were beautiful. With disdain I replied, “They are just flowers.”

Now I see God’s creation, not ‘just flowers’. I see His attention to details. I see His reflection in each flower. And I give God the glory and praise for His loving kindness to allow me to see the results of His Creation that He takes pleasure in. I give thanks to see His great love that would send His only begotten Son to die for our sins, and be raised from the dead. Even as I gaze upon tiny babies, I am seeing the hand of God Who knit them together. Is there anything as precious to see a little one smile or laugh with their whole being? It is then, as I respond with Joy, I know that God sees His little ones and rejoices as well.

Does this mean there are no tears? No struggles? Just as parents who teach obedience, the importance of truth, being responsible, God teaches us to live with Him in a God-centered dwelling – Heaven. Joy is the presence of God in our lives. From the depths of despair, there is an everlasting hope. A hope that sustains us and the hope that gives us His Forever-Joy.

I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” Psalm 40:8

We live in an era when our faith in God as a people is questioned…and our search for joy and strength can only be in our Lord. These times have happened before when God is denied. Denial of the deity of God does not change the fact of God. It is what it is! King David wrote….”What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12.

Charles Spurgeon said of joy from “What Makes My Soul Dance”, “How sweet is it to think over all the Lord has done; how he has revealed himself of old, and especially how he has displayed his glory in the covenant of grace, and in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. How charming is the thought that he has revealed himself to me personally, and made me to see in him my Father, my friend, my helper, my God.”

Being Joyful, Thankful and Prayerful – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Ruth Bell Graham, “We can’t always give thanks FOR everything, but we can always give thanks IN everything.”

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. Jude 1:24