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.)
Because God is the ultimate source of joy, His people should strive to be sources of joy. God gives His joy to us, but what will we do with this joy? Certainly we should not hide it or hoard it. Rather, we should hand it to others. David in I Chronicles 29:9, 17 is a fine example of a joy that is shared. He dearly desired to build a place of worship to honor God, but God did not permit David to undertake this project because he was a warrior and had killed many in battle (I Chronicles 28:2-3). David did not mope; instead, he did everything that he could do to make this future project easier for the people and for his son Solomon. He prepared the plans (I Chronicles 28:11) and stockpiled the building supplies (I Chronicles 29:1-8). David would not build this temple, nor would he worship there. Still, verse 9 says, “David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” David prepared with joy; the people gave with joy; David responded to their giving with joy. This is a positive cycle – really, a positive upward spiral. Our joy matters to God and to us; it also matters to others. God’s joy is so great that He can make each one of us sources of joy to those around us.