The joy according to the Lord

"... Let them have my joy fulfilled in themselves." John 17:13

"Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be complete." John 16: 24

Every born-again Christian knows that he has received his salvation as a free gift, just as he accepted Jesus as his Savior. But he received another thing : Jesus also gave him his joy. Yet many Christians seem to lead a rather sad life ; In any case they do not radiate happiness.

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh 8:10) ; This is what Nehemiah affirmed to the people who returned to Jerusalem and gathered before him to listen to the reading of the book of the Law. He encouraged them to rejoice. This joy anchored in God should sustain and strengthen every child of God every day.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians : "We cooperate in your joy" (2 Cor 1: 24) ; This did not mean that he would make them happy by improving their living conditions ; He wished to remind them of the joy which had already been given them to conversion. He knew from experience that every believer who actively testifies to his faith will be subjected to trials and sufferings; But for him to dwell in Christ was the source of his joy.

Jesus prayed that His joy would be made perfect in each of the believers ; None of them can make themselves happy by himself, as he can not save himself ! Everyone can be happy to have Christ as Master. He must acknowledge this joy, not because circumstances are happy, but because he knows and practices the divine commandments, dwelling in Jesus.

David had learned the secret of joy : "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling" (Psalm 2: 11). It is not necessarily an exuberant joy as we can see around us, but a joy whose source is in the desire to fulfill what God asks for. David can not keep this secret for himself and transmits it to others : "Rejoice in the Lord, and be merry, righteous ! Cries of joy, all of you who are upright in heart" (Psalm 32:11).

This joy according to the Lord is still valid : "Rejoice always in the Lord ; I will tell you again : rejoice" (Phil 4: 4).

Source (To pleasing the Lord)