Joy Experience

"But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." (Galatians 6: 4)

"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." (Proverbs 14: 10 NIV)

The above two verses emphasize the personal nature of both joy and grief. "Rejoicing in himself alone." "No one else shares his joy."

An old slave hymn had these lines - "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen"! That is true! Much of our grief no one knows, save God and we ourselves alone. But, it is also true relative to much of man's joys, and we may therefore appropriately say - "nobody knows the joyful thoughts and times I've had"!

Man, being generally a social being, certainly does "share" both his joy and pain with others, "weeping with those who weep," and "rejoicing with those who rejoice. " (Romans 12: 15 KJV)

Nevertheless the experiencing of these emotions remains mostly personal, most experiences of joy and pain being unshared, and unknown to others, being chiefy private throughout life.

In the context of the first verse (above) Paul speaks of each individual being a friend, neighbor, and brother to others, and being always willing to "bear the burdens of others" (i.e. share the grief), yet, also having to "bear his own (private or personal) burdens."

So too with personal joy. It is mostly that which is experienced privately, being for the benefit of the individual. Most pleasant thoughts come to a person when they are alone and never get a chance to tell others of the many and varied experiences of joy.

Clearly joy and happiness are essentials to life and being(preventing suicide), certainly for an "abundant life" and for "well being." (See John 10: 10)

"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 11: 15 NIV)

Though man has lost all right to any and all happiness and joy because of his sin, yet God's goodness extends to him manifold blessings, "making his sun to shine upon the evil and the good," and "sending rain upon the just and the unjust." (Matthew 5: 45) In spite of man's sin, Lord God yet allows man to pursue and find happiness and to enjoy all the good in life.

"Yet he (God the Creator) has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." (Acts 14: 17 NIV)

Every human, yet non-sinful, joy is a gift of God. James said this, writing:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1: 17 NIV)

Lord God "fills your hearts with joy," yet how few consider the source of all these experiences of joy! How few "give God thanks" for all of life's many moments of joy and gladness?

"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do." (Ecclesiastes 9: 7 NIV)

"Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment." (Ecclesiastes 11: 9 NIV)

In other words, to be more specific, Lord God says to young people to seek a life companion, and when finding him or her, to "rejoice with the spouse of your youth." (Proverbs 5: 18) He tells all to enjoy life, to "don't worry (but), be happy."

Go ahead, says Lord God, "smell the roses in life," and "take in all the good that I give to you." He says - "suck the marrow out of life"! Or, "eat the good of the land"; Or, "Do not be miserly or humbug in your enjoyment of and attitude towards life."

Too many people think they must be sad in life, as a kind of atonement for their sins, viewing daily human joys and pleasures as something unbecoming a holy man. The Pharisees were such people.

Yet, Solomon said, in his great wisdom, that he "commended" men in their enjoying of their individual lives, and the only caution he gave with the commendation was that which says, basically, - "remember in all your enjoyment of life that God is watching and will bring you to answer for how you have enjoyed your life."

Let us mention a few things in life that are commonly experienced joys of which the scriptures particularly mention.

"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15: 23 NIV)

The pleasure of speech and joyful communication! Men enjoy being "witty" and being socially conversant.

"The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat." (Proverbs 15: 30)

The pleasures that come from vision and eyesight! To behold beauty! And oh the joy that men feel when they are being praised and commended! It is generally healthy for a man, being a "positive reinforcement."

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel." (Proverbs 27: 9)

"And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart." (Psalm 104: 15)

Besides material commodities, which Lord God gives to men in abundance, such as various oils and perfumes, and all his food supplies, including both his neccessities (bread) and his luxuries (wine), man also enjoys his friends and their interest in him.

"Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased." (Psalm 4: 7 KJV)

"Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee." (Song of Solomon 1: 4)

The joys of salvation, of the Holy Spirit, of fellowship with God, far surpass all earthly and physical joys. The joy of walking with the Lord is not to be compared with the joy of wine and carnal merry-making. Such a joy does not find its source in any created thing, but in God alone; And, it is for this reason that such possessors of it confess:

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (Habakkuk 3: 17, 18 NIV)

It is a state to be desired wherein one has both spiritual and earthly joys. One, of course, may exist without the other. The one who has spiritual joy, however, has the power within him to be happy and joyful even in suffering and in loss.

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." (Psalm 94: 19 NIV)

Oh how many lost souls do not have this "consolation" within them! Oh how they are therefore unable to "cope with" life's many tragedies, with inner peace and joy, as does the one who has God's joy in his inner being! The word "enthusiasm" meant, to the Greeks, "God within."

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets." (Luke 6: 23 NIV)

"You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions." (Hebrews 10: 34 NIV)

"You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (I Thessalonians 1: 6 NIV)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (James 1: 2, 3 NIV)

The Christian has such a quality to his "joy" that it does not dissipate in trial and persecution, nor in times of grief and loss. His joy is rooted in the Lord and in his word, and in the faith that he has been graciously given, and he has the example of Christ ever before the eyes of his faith, causing him to persevere in his rejoicing.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12: 2 NIV)

Having the eyes firmly fixated on Christ and on his example, and on the words of promise contained in his word, it is not hard therefore to "be joyful always." (I Thessalonians 5: 16 NIV)

"Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8: 10 NIV)

Thus, another passage that connects the presence of the "joy of the Lord" with the "power to persevere."

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." (Psalm 5: 11 NIV)

Those who "rejoice in the Lord" are they who are protected and safe and who persevere in their steadfast happiness.

"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." (Philippians 3: 3 KJV)

What marks the difference between spiritual and non-spiritual joy? What is the cause or reason for true supernal rejoicing and for the deep and abiding happy heart?

Jesus Christ is the joy of the Christian, and such a joy as Peter described, when he said - "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." (I Peter 1: 8 NIV)

"Inexpressible joy"! Unfathomable! Better felt than said! "Glorious happiness"! The height of ecstacy for the soul and for the thoughts and emotions!

No one but God himself can understand the "phenomenology" of the Christian experience of joy! It is truly beyond description and comprehension. Notice too how real and lasting joy is connected with faith and trust in God and in his word.

"The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." (Psalm 19: 8 NIV)

"Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart." (Psalm 119: 11 NIV)

Oh that men could see how much joy they are "missing out on" by their neglect of God's word! Oh what "enjoyable reading" is God's word!

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (Psalm 28: 7 NIV)

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." (Psalm 126: 3 NIV)

Another verse that connects joy of heart with perseverence in holiness and fellowship with the Lord!

"My heart leaps for joy"! Oh how the Christian loves these moments in his life!

Especially is joy produced in the thoughts and feelings of the Christian when he considers "all that the Lord has done for him," when he contemplates all the many blessings given to him in life.

"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13: 52 NIV)

"The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family." (Acts 16: 34 NIV)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15: 13 NIV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..." (Galatians 5: 22 NIV)

These are precious other verses that connect spiritual joy with the Holy Spirit and with God given faith. Those who believe in Jesus receive joy of heart in believing. The presence of the Holy Spirit assures them of joy in life, to one degree or another.

"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." (John 17: 3 NIV)

"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." (Luke 10: 21 NIV)

"Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD." (Psalm 105: 3)

"Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem." (Zechariah 3: 14)

"And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD." (Zechariah 10: 7)

If one is an unbeliever in Jesus, then all his joys are temporal and lacking real depth. Much common worldly joy is superficial and but fleeting charms.

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14: 17 NIV)

How many false religions err on this score! How many religious people think that what they eat and drink is an aid or means in their having the joy of God, and the blessed gifts of his Spirit!

"The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." (Proverbs 10: 28 NIV)

"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit." (Isaiah 63: 13, 14 NIV)

Friend, which of these categories do you fit into? Are you a believer in Jesus? Do you have the joy of the Holy Spirit? Will your joys be turned to nothing but eternal sorrows when you die?

"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." (John 16: 22)

Friend, once you become a believer in Jesus and receive his joy within your inner soul, it will never be taken away from you. Praise God!