Join in the Joy
Through the years, I have frequently preached about joy. It is more than an emotion (although it includes emotion); rather, it is a settled attitude, a stable and sturdy approach to life that focuses us on the things that matter now and forever. Joy is much greater and much more powerful than happiness, which is event or circumstance driven. There is nothing wrong with happiness. It is certainly better than unhappiness. Also, we have different personalities. For example, my wife is happy-go-lucky. Of course, she has every reason to be, being married to me. However, not everyone can be married to me. We need something more substantial than happiness; that something is joy. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Yesterday, we found in Psalm 16:11 that joy is found in the “presence” of God because joy is characteristic of our God. The nature of God as revealed in His Word is always a good place to begin when considering any subject; it is also a good place to stay and will be the place to end! Psalm 100:1 is a good reminder of one way to remain in the “presence” of God: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.” God has powerfully expressed His joy in His Word. Therefore, it is only reasonable that we respond likewise. Some folks are gifted musicians; others (like me) are not. However, this verse is a command (a joyful command) to all of us. Sometimes I hum, and my wife tells me to stop because I am repeatedly humming the same tune and am annoying her. I just tell her that I am humming all of the verses. At least God appreciates my “joyful noise,” and He will appreciate yours as well.