Joy is different from happiness—as the former is a lasting one, children of God possess despite their circumstance while the latter is momentary that the world seeks in temporary pursuits. The joy Jesus gives is something that the world can’t give, or the world can’t take away! The key verse speaks of Jesus’ joy in the believer….how can it be made full?

1. Abiding in Him and His love(Vs.4,9)- To have Christ in our lives is the core of our joy. When we invite Him into our lives, He takes over and directs our lives according to the plan and purpose for` which He created us. Thus we start to find fulfilment in our lives and joy settles in. We understand who we are in Him and we live a victorious life through Him!
Romans 5:4 says,“…the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  We thus learn to love God and others- even those we would have considered the most “unlovable.” Jesus proved what He spoke, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (V.13) when He laid down His life to save us from being eternally destroyed. He paid for us with His life that we would have life through Him! And we are called to follow His example in giving of ourselves to win those who are lost in sin, in deeds of love and kindness to our brethren. That’s when His love becomes manifested through us.

2. Abiding in His words and doing them(Vs.7,10,17)- Psalm 119:24 [CEV] says of God’s Word: “Your laws are my greatest joy! I follow their advice.”  A child of God who delights in His Word finds joy in doing what it says. God’s Word is our manual, the compass for our lives pointing to us the right direction. It not only makes our soul rejoice but it warns us and there is great reward in keeping His Word (Psalm 19:8,11). When His Word abides in us we ask according to His will (V.7)

Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” There is joy in seeking His way in His Word!

3. Appointed to bear fruit(Vs.16)-  Jesus said, “…I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” There is joy in doing the task assigned to us by our Lord and more so when it yields the fruit of our labour. The fruit that remains is souls won for God’s kingdom. We too partake of the joy in heaven when a sinner repents and is saved (Luke 15:7).  These souls are our treasure in heaven unlike the perishable treasure on earth that moth and rust destroy (Matt.6:20). What a joyous occasion it will be to see the many lives we touched, on the other side of eternity!

4. Undisturbed in hostility (Vs18-25)- James 1:2&3 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Christ endured the hostility even from his own people and kith and kin (John 1:11).  How much more we will, because we are His disciples. They misunderstood His Person, His mission and even misinterpreted His words and His works. When we truly follow Christ and abide in His word, the world hates us, but we are to count it joy to suffer for Him—"If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed…” (1Peter 4:14)

Friend, there is joy in knowing Jesus and living for Him! Would you too experience such joy that lasts unto eternity?

Joy in Christ: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”          Psalm 16:11 [NLT]

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LISTEN-  "Joy" from Rend Collective