Pronunciation: \ˈjȯi\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French joie, from Latin gaudia, plural of gaudium, from gaudēre to rejoice; probably akin to Greek gēthein to rejoice
Date: 13th century
1 a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune
Joy is something that is given to us from the LORD, but we have to make a choice whether or not we will display it in our lives. We have the well-being of the LORD'S provision, we have the success of the LORD achieving His plans in and through us, and we have beyond good fortune (so to speak, because it is really so much more) of eternal life. How is it even possible that we would display any other emotion other than joy?!
You do. I do. It is possible for sin to sneak in to the quiet places where no one notices. The areas of our heart that we think are hidden from the light. We may repent. For some things. But we may also choose to ignore some areas as well. Especially if we feel justified for our sinful feelings.
Slow down. Quiet your mind. Allow yourself to be searched. The LORD already knows what is "hiding" but we're called to invite Him in and ask Him to search us. To know us. To reveal to us where we are dirty, messy, ugly.
I know where I have "dirt" hiding. The past few days I have been shown my ugliness more than I would have liked to. It makes me saddened. Lonely. Discouraged.
The Lord is beckoning me. He is asking me to trade those feelings in for forgiveness. Joy. Fellowship with Himself. He meets me where I am at and promises to carry me to the place where He wants to commune with me. Where He wants to wash my dirty heart, my messy choices, my ugly sin. He wants me to bathe in Him alone and be clean.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Prov 15:13
...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Mt 12:34
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Lk 6:45
Our quiet, hidden places must be cleaned because they will not stay quiet and hidden no matter how hard we try. My sin nature is much louder than my Godly joy if I am striving by myself. The LORD must have control. He must increase. He must be given full reign.
He will provide joy and we make an obedient choice to display it. He will provide the path but we have to take steps. He will be faithful if we submit, ask to be cleaned, and move forward in the abundant life He offers.
Go. Choose the LORD. Choose His joy. Be changed.
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