One day over a year ago, I was sitting with our granddaughter and she began to sing a little tune: “Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow.” I’d never heard it before, so I looked it up online. I found it among a half-hour video with lots of fun songs. Eventually that song collection became one of our favorites, even playing it when driving to and from her home in our car [yes, we have our very own car seat just for that purpose].
That reminds me of finding joy in the Lord and singing in our hearts each day. Jesus was full of joy and wanted us to have that joy too.
John 15:11:
These things have I spoken unto you, that my JOY MIGHT REMAIN in you, and that your JOY MIGHT BE FULL.
Here’s how to have it. It’s what Jesus said right before this.
John 15:10:
If ye KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, ye shall ABIDE IN MY LOVE; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
If we simply do what Jesus taught us to do, and follow his example, we will have his love abide in us and our joy will be full.
Here is how we have “joy in the Lord.”
1) First, we get born again and are filled with the holy spirit. Then we are redeemed and atoned, bought back by Jesus Christ. So we joy in God our Father for what He has done.
Romans 5:11:
And not only so, but we also JOY IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, by whom we have now received the ATONEMENT.
2) Being filled with the holy spirit and receiving the truth of God’s Word in the scriptures and by the spirit, we endure hardship and have spiritual joy. We are followers of Jesus Christ and other believers who walk faithfully in the truth.
1 Thessalonians 1:6:
And ye became FOLLOWERS OF US AND OF THE LORD, having received the word in much affliction, with JOY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
3) We look forward to and anticipate the return of our Lord Jesus. That is our hope and joy and “crown” of rejoicing–when we see other believers whom we’ve known and blessed in this life, and with whom we will share eternal joys and rewards.
1 Thessalonians 2:19:
For what is our HOPE, OR JOY, OR CROWN OF REJOICING? Are not EVEN YOU in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ AT HIS COMING?
4) We get refreshed by each other because of our joy in the Lord. That means we are so thankful for all that Christ has done for us, that we live for him and show our Father’s goodness to others. Our very “inner selves” are refreshed and uplifted in God’s love.
Philemon 1:2:
Yea, brother, let me have JOY OF THEE IN THE LORD: REFRESH my bowels [INNERMOST SELF] IN THE LORD.
Thank you for all you do to uplift and care for the body of Christ. We are COMPLETE IN CHRIST and able to do all things through him who energizes our every spiritual ability.
One reply on “Joy in the Lord”
Thank you! What a great song for making our lives lighter. It is a great song to teach the children around us. I en-joyed it. 🙂 It reminded me of so many songs we sang while in training. The joy of the lord is my strength. Hah – hah – hah – hah – hah -hah – hah – hah -hah – hah – hah. It doesn’t cost anything to have joy in our lives. It sure is better than a tooth-ache. God bless you!