Are you full of joy right now? Or are you waiting for some expectation to be fulfilled first? Many times people are thinking, “I’ll be happy if…”. Their happiness is conditional based on the circumstances of life. If what they want to be, do, or have comes through, then they will be happy – better health, more money, a new job, a promotion, a raise, respect, a real friend, car, the new apartment, the new house, a pet, a new smartphone, a tablet, a new computer, etc. No matter the circumstances of life we can rejoice in the Lord right now.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Paul speaks more regarding joy and rejoicing in the letter to the Philippians than in any other of his letters. Philippians is the favorite book of many Christians because of these two words: Joy and Rejoice. The founding members of the church at Philippi had learned from Paul and Silas that Christians could be full of joy even when they suffered by being beaten and thrown in an awful prison (Acts 16). I believe that the church at Philippi became one of Paul’s favorites. He calls them ‘my joy and crown’ (Phil. 4:1). Paul has joy in his heart as he writes to them. He encourages the Philippians to rejoice together in the Lord in their fellowship in the gospel. Many times, our prayers for others are with sorrow, but Paul prays with joy (Phil. 1:4).

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

We cannot manufacture joy. Our joy comes from God. The foundation and source of our joy is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in the grace and peace that comes from God. If we are not experiencing God’s grace and peace, then we will not have joy. We might have temporary happiness, but not real joy. God’s favor and peace are those things that He does in our soul. John speaks of a prosperous soul (3 John 1). It gives us joy to meditate upon God’s grace and peace that He gives us.

The Apostle Paul desired that others share in the same joy that he had. He is always trying to build up other’s faith and joy. There is a joy in the fellowship that we have as we meet to hear the Word of God and to worship together. As we meet this week let’s come to church with joy in our hearts and with a desire to promote the joy of the Lord in others!

Ron Cox - Director of HOPE Ministry