In His Name Devotionals
JOY vs HAPPINESS
In His Name Devotionals
JOY vs HAPPINESS
“Rejoice in the Lord.” (Philippians 3:1)
Remember seeing bumper stickers proclaiming every conceivable source for happiness? One said, “Happiness is being married;” another countered, “Happiness is being single.” One cynical sticker read, “Happiness is impossible!”
For most people happiness is possible, but it’s also fickle, shallow, and fleeting. As the Word itself implies, happiness is associated with happenings, happenstance, luck, and fortune. If circumstances are favorable, you are happy; if not, you’re unhappy.
Christian joy, however, is directly related to God and is the firm confidence that all is well, regardless of your circumstances.
In Philippians 3:1 Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord.” The Lord is both the source and object of Christian joy. Knowing Him brings joy that transcends temporal circumstances. Obeying Him brings peace and assurance.
Joy is God’s gift to every believer. It is the fruit that His Spirit produces within you (Galatians 5:22) from the moment you receive the Gospel (John 15:11). This joy increases as you study and obey God’s Word (1 John 1:4).
Even severe trials need not rob you of your joy. James 1:2 says you should be joyful when you encounter various trials because trials produce spiritual endurance and maturity. They also prove that your faith is genuine, and a proven faith is the source of great joy (1 Peter 1:6-8).
You live in a world corrupted by sin. But your hope is in a living God, not in a dying world. He is “able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 24). That is your assurance of future glory and eternal joy. Until that time, do not neglect His Holy Word, despise trials, or lose sight of your eternal reward. These are key ingredients of your present joy.
