Some believers are always looking miserable, but they want to deceive us that they are full of joy. Joy, when it overflows, comes out to the surface.
Of course, all true joy, being a fruit of the Spirit, is inward in origin, but it does not remain inward. It flows outward.
- If your joy is small, it will remain in your spirit.
- If it is greater, it will get to your soul.
- If it is allowed to increase, it will reach your body.
- When fully released, it will flow through you to others.
If your joy cannot be seen on your face, it is not full. l know some brethren who have become less joyful with increasing years in the Lord. They tell me it is because they are becoming more spiritual. All who are truly spiritual will overflow with joy. l am not saying that they are not praying more, giving more to the Lord, or serving Him more. They are. But as long as their joy is no longer being seen, it is sure that they have missed something of the special touch they had with Him at the beginning. Serving Him has replaced Him in their hearts.
Full joy will be manifest. It is always like a child’s: heartful, expressive, and overflowing. Joy has an emotional part.
Some think that frowning is spiritual and laughter carnal. Well, God laughs. The Bible says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs” (Psalm 2:4).
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Joy is sometimes manifested in excitement. The Bible says, “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for l have found my sheep which was lost’” (Luke 15:5-6). What do you think this man looked like while he carried his lost but now found sheep back home? l am sure of one thing. He was wearing no long face. He was all smiles and excitement. He could not contain himself. That was an expression of joy. Let us express our joy that way.
When one sinner repents, we are told that there is joy in heaven. l do not believe that angels are without emotions. They rejoice. They shout and praise the Lord. Have you ever done that or are you religious, sanctimonious, and sad?
We are told to leap for joy during the time of persecution since we know the reward that awaits us. Leaping and shouting are an expression of joy.
Joy is also and often manifested in song. The Bible says:
Psalm 47:1
“Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!” Have you ever clapped your hands and praised the Lord with loud shouts of joy? Begin today.
Psalm 43:4
“Then l will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and l will praise thee with the lyre, O God, my God.”
Psalm 92:4
“For thou, O Lord, hast made me glad by thy work; at the works of thy hands l sing for joy.”
Psalm 98:8
“Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together.”
Singing! Songs that flow spontaneously without effort, without self-consciousness are the lot of Spirit-filled people. l know that when people are filled with the Holy Spirit, they rejoice and their joy comes forth in song.
THE BELIEVER: A SOURCE OF JOY TO OTHER BELIEVERS
The apostle said to Philemon, “l have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philemon 7). May God help us to walk with Him and be a source of blessing to the Church so that many may derive joy and comfort from us. l ask myself, “Am l a source of joy to others?” l ask you, “Are you a source of joy to others?” When they see you or hear of you, do they rejoice?
THE BELIEVER: A SOURCE OF JOY TO GOD
The Bible says, “For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5).
The Lord is looking for His special lovers over whom He may rejoice. May you and l become such, and we shall be truly blessed. Glory be to His holy Name!
