Like most people, I used to think that happiness and joy were the same thing. We sang “Joy to the World” at Christmas, and I thought that meant that Jesus’ coming made us all happy. It was hard for me to conceive that you could have joy and not be happy at the same time.

When our daughter was born, I understood the idea a bit better. When she was crying with colic, or I had to change a messy diaper, I wasn’t too happy. None of those things, though, took away from the inner joy of having a daughter. When we have a loving relationship with Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, the joy that comes with it doesn’t come and go depending on our moods. Happiness is an emotion, and comes because things are going well for us. Joy is centered in Christ, not in our own selfish wants and desires.

There are a couple of fairly well known examples from the Book of Acts. Peter and John were beaten and imprisoned because they persisted in witnessing for Christ; even though the beatings didn’t make them feel happy, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ. Similarly, Paul and Silas were severely beaten and put in stocks in jail, in Philippi, but they spent half the night singing songs of praise to God. Paul later wrote to the church in that same city, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!” “Always” doesn’t mean just when things are going well for us, but in the tough times as well. A Christian should never be “under the circumstances”; the Lord wants to lift us above them.

Jesus spoke of joy to his disciples at the Last Supper. After exhorting them to bear fruit, and to show love through obedience, he said he had told them all of those things so that they might be full of his joy. Fellowship with Christ brings joy, and so does knowledge of his Word, his will, and his way. So many Christians exhibit very little joy because they don’t spend time with the Lord or in the study of his Word.. The more crowded our minds are with thoughts and cares of this world, the less room there is for the Lord.

Choir members and pastors have a good view of their congregations on Sunday mornings. It astounds me how God's people can sing great hymns of praise and worship like “How Great Thou Art” or “Victory in Jesus” and look as if they had just lost a dear friend. Looking around at the choir sometimes, I wonder if we’re reflecting what we see, or vice versa. Many times we don’t look any more joyous than they do.

This time of year, with Easter coming up, is the most joyous season of all for Christians. I wonder, though, how many of us really appreciate how very much we do have to rejoice in. Consider where we would be if God had not made provision for us in Christ. The Bible is very clear that we are all sinners in God’s eyes, and that not one of us is righteous. If Christ had chosen not to die for our sins, either in the Garden of Gethsemane or on the cross, we would have no recourse with God. We would all be utterly lost and without hope. All any of us would have to look forward to is eternity in Hell.

But, praise God, he did give his life for us, so that we might receive life! That all alone, with the knowledge that we have an eternity with Christ ahead of us, ought to make it shoutin’ time! Christ’s resurrection is about new beginnings, hope instead of despair, joy instead of sadness, God’s abundant, unfailing grace. Easter is a time to celebrate an empty tomb and a risen Lord, and look back on what it means, but also a time to look forward to our own resurrection, if we die while the Lord tarries. Because of Easter, there was Pentecost, and the birth of the church. Because of Easter, the Holy Spirit lives in us and works in the world around us. Because of Easter, we can know Christ as Savior and Lord, just as the Disciples did.

No joy in your life? Are you a Christian? Then you’ve lost sight of what the most important part of life means. If you’re not a Christian, you’ll never know what real joy is until you ask Christ into your life. Are you weak in your faith? Like Nehemiah, you can say “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” If you don’t know joy, then you don’t really know Jesus.

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JESUS IS the Bridge Ministries

Beneath His Wings Devotionals - Vol. 1