“And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13
What is the “joy of the Lord,” but that fathomless contentment, elated sense of blessing in the love of God, that God gives in a very specific way, to be known by those who love Him. We find its source, spring, like the “well of water” in the soul. And yet, like peace, it is like a river. It is a joy that is not just emotional, and thrilling, but one that is deeper, and quieter than the depths of the sea. And yet, it is expressed by a heart and soul bounding forth in delight, in assurance and peace, conscious of the everlasting blessing of God. What is the source of this joy? Is it a joy that comes, and is known, like the “peace of the world,” which ebbs and flows? Or is its essence, and presence, ever-lasting, ever-present? Joy’s expression, though very different in every heart, has this wonderful result: it lifts the heart and soul up to God in unhesitating praise and worship. Indeed, the fruit of this joy is worship, thanksgiving and praise. But, how can one know this joy, and this every morning?
First, if joy is to be known, appropriated, received, and lived, Christ must be believed. Not only did the Lord Jesus declare to His disciples, “…these things have I spoken to you that MY joy might remain in you,” (Jn. 15:11), but also, “… that your joy might be FULL.” The joy of the believer or Christian, is a joy that is of God. It is not a thing, but one of many expressions, and blessings, of the very life of Christ in the heart of every believer. It is as real as is Christ, thus, it is everlasting. This is why the Lord would declare again to the disciples that there would come a time when, “…your joy no man taketh from you.” (Jn.16:22) Even in Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John’s gospel, just before He was crucified, He prayed: “Now come I to Thee: and these things which I speak in the world, that they might have MY joy fulfilled in themselves.” (16:13) The joy that Christ gives comes in the giving of Himself to the heart by the Spirit. It is a joy that fades not away in its source or essence, for Christ is its source and essence. Though it is constantly present by the Spirit, and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, the expression of it is not always the same.
When David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, he danced before it, barely able to contain the fulness of his joy. That joy thrilled his soul to the point that he could do no other than to leap and dance before it. When the disciples were at Jesus’ side, they saw this joy, one that was expressed certainly by the relationship Jesus had with the Father, in prayer, and in life. He lived in the joy of His Father, the joy He experienced communing with the Father, and yet we never see Him leaping and dancing. We also see that the expression of that joy was very subdued, but present, leading up to the cross. There was no sign of elation, except that which He found in profound fellowship with the Father. Jesus was also looking beyond to the other side of the cross at that which was to come, an experience of joy, that was to shortly come. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews expressed it like this: “…Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who for the JOY set before Him, endured the cross.” (12:2)
When does the experience of Christ’s joy begin? Scripture tells us that, though weeping may endure for a night, “… joy cometh in the morning,” (Ps. 30:5) Christ’s ever-lasting joy is revealed to the soul by the Spirit when the heart is turned wholly, expectantly unto Him.
Dear Father, Fill us with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.