Joy
We often think of angels singing and praising God but how often do you picture God as someone who has joy? I imagine most see God as person who always speaks in King James and is serious. But obviously, if we are made in His image we are made to resemble in part the pure emotion that He has. The Bible shows many places where God exibits emotions and several that show joy. When God delivered His people from Egypt it gave Him joy as you can read in the next two verses. Psalms 105:42-43 For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant. He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. In Zephaniah it says that when He is in the midst of His people He rejoices and has joy.
Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. And yet, another time He had joy was when He faced dying on the cross. The pain didn’t give Him joy but knowing that it was going to accomplish His goal of our salvation He was able to endure it with joy.
Heb 12:2 - keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.
We are made in His image and we are made to have joy. We love to laugh. When something works out, our hearts are lightened. All through the Bible it says we are to have joy. In many places it says we will have joy. There are many verses that talk about joy and rejoicing in good situations such as having joy in what God or others have done for us. Paul, the apostle, talks often of others giving him joy because of their faith or because of their giving. It is easy to understand how we will have joy in good times but how do we have joy in the midst of times that are so hard joy seems to be the last emotion we have? How did Jesus have joy on His way to the cross? How can we have joy in the midst of trials? James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”
The answer is in where your joy comes from. If the joy comes from your own making; if your joy always comes from an outside source then it will not stay when everything falls apart. To have joy that is deep when the situation doesn’t bring happiness it has to come from the Lord. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” The Spirit has to be your source of joy. When He is your joy you will have peace in the middle of hard times. For this to happen you need to be saved first (see Salvation in the links). Next, you need to be continually filled with the Spirit which is an act that is renewed every day. Everyday you are to empty yourself of your own wills, your own wants, and your own strength. And then yield to His will, His wants, and His strength. Not focusing on what you want God to do for you but waiting on God to see what He wants you to do for Him. When your focus is Jesus, you will have joy. Not a temporary joy, but a joy that gives lasting peace.
When Jesus was in the Garden Gethsemane, waiting for Judas to come and betray Him, He was yielding to His Father’s will by praying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39) That yielding gave Him the ability to endure the cross and look forward to the joy of having us as His children. If Jesus found it necessary to yield to God the Father then it is vitally important for us to do the same which is to daily give ourselves to be completely controlled and led by the Holy Spirit. When we focus on who Jesus is, what He has created, and what He has done for us it changes our outlook on life. It makes us change our perspective on our problems so that we see them through His eyes.
One time our family went to a local science center that had a giant maze. There were so many twists and turns and in a little while all of the walls and openings looked the same. As we walked through it we became very confused walking it alone. But there was an observation deck overlooking the maze. From that vantage point we could see the whole route. If we could have yelled loud enough we could have easily led someone through it without them ending up at a dead-end.
God has that perspective on our lives. He sees the twists and turns, the dead ends and false openings. When we yield to Him and listen to His promptings, he will guide us through the maze. He can see the whole picture and our joy comes from trusting His guidance and obeying His commandments.
It’s not an easy procedure to follow because it means we have to let go of how we want things to happen in our lives and let God direct the situations. It means we have to trust (see Trust) that God is in control and He is orchestrating our lives to count for Him. He is Holy and Perfect… He will never allow anything to happen in our life that isn’t for our best. Your trusting and yielding will bring a joy unspeakable to you and fill your empty place in your heart with peace.


Here are some other verses that speak of joy:
Ne 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Ps 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Ps. 126:2-6 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity *, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
John 15:9-11 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 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. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Ro 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.