“More than Just Being Happy”

“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

As the subtitle says, joy is more than a simple emotion or feeling. Let’s begin by digging in to how this word is used in this passage. We will look at it in some other passages as well. 

The Hebrew word translated as joy here is חֶדְוָה, chedvah. 

“Chedvah” signifies a deep, abiding sense of joy and gladness. It is often used in the context of spiritual or communal joy, reflecting a state of happiness that is rooted in one’s relationship with God and the community of believers. This joy is not merely an emotional response but a profound sense of well-being and contentment that comes from divine presence and blessing. In ancient Israelite culture, joy was a significant aspect of religious life and community gatherings. Festivals, worship, and communal celebrations were occasions for expressing joy and gratitude to God. The concept of joy in the Hebrew Bible is closely tied to the covenant relationship between God and His people, where joy is seen as a response to God’s faithfulness and provision.

There is so much to unpack in that last paragraph, let me summarize a portion of it. “Joy isn’t merely an emotional response, it is an abiding sense of contentment and happiness rooted in one’s relationship with God.” In the traditions of our Jewish brothers and sisters, Joy is a key component of almost all the feasts and festivals. Expressing joy is a way to demonstrate gratitude to the Father for his faithfulness and provision. Thus, simply based on this one word, joy is as much a spiritual concept as is it is an emotional one.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22-23

The Greek word for joy, as found above, is Χαρά, chara. At its simplest it is defined as “Joy, gladness, delight.”

Similar to chedvah, chara also describes a deep, abiding sense of joy and gladness and is also connected in one’s relationship with God. It is rooted in spiritual realities rather than external circumstances and often characterized by a sense of inner peace and contentment despite one’s other troubles or issues.

Thus, no matter where we look in the Bible, joy is more than an emotion, it is a fruit of our relationship with God. In fact, scriptures repeatedly not only encourage, but call us to “Count it all joy”, “rejoice always”, and “be joyful.”

The Greek for rejoice is similar to that for joy –  Χαίρω, chairó

Its meaning and usage is also very similar as should be expected. 

It primarily means to rejoice or be glad, but it also conveys a sense of inner joy and delight, often in response to God’s grace and goodness. It is frequently used to express the joy that believers experience through their relationship with Christ and the hope of salvation.

When I consider these words and their origins and look at their context in scriptures, I believe that it is possible and the Heavenly Father desires us to be joyful at all times and in all circumstances. Does that mean that it is going to be easy and without effort? Absolutely not. As I have considered and meditated on these passages, I have come to believe that the more I come to realize the depth and magnitude of God’s love for me, I am drawn closer and closer to Him. As I do so, Joy is a natural and expected outcome. With that in mind, I can be like Peter was initially and walk on the water and know that kind of joy by keeping my eyes and heart focused on Jesus or I can look at the wind and waves of my circumstances and be filled with fear and anxiety.

[9]  “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. [12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  John 15:9-13

What brings him joy?  When walk with and remain in His love, by following his commandments. Specifically, the commandments to Love Him first and to love one another as He loves us. Likewise, when we walk  in love we also experience that unexplainable joy.

Let me share a recent real life illustration of this experience. Within the last month, my first grandchild was born. To begin with there is nothing like the hope and expectation that one experiences in the waiting, but that is NOTHING like the JOY of looking at and holding that little one every opportunity that you have. Funny, as I write that, I hear the heart of God saying, “That is EXACTLY the LOVE and JOY that I have, when my children come to me. 

My friends, if we can wrap our tiny carnal minds around that and REALLY let it penetrate every bit of who we are, body, mind, soul and spirit I believe it will literally transform our lives. JOY will not be something that we feel, or how we respond to and interact with our world, it will become who we ARE.

“the fruit of the Spirit is JOY”

‘His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. ‘ Psalms 30:5