JOY – Episode 6 – Good News of Great Joy

 

JOY – Episode 6 – Good News of Great Joy.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

It is at least interesting that the fruit of the Spirit of Joy is positioned between Love and Peace. Could it be coincidental that we must find love which comes before joy in order to find peace in our lives?

When and from what sources do you find joy? Is it in a job well done? From your career, hobby, family, possessions or good fortune?

This word, JOY, in the Bible and from the Greek language in which it was written, is ‘chara’,  (pronounced, ‘khar-ah’), means  joy, delight, gladness, a source of joy. The picture is “to extend favor, lean towards, be favorably disposed”. More properly, it means the awareness of God’s grace and favor. Joy is found when God’s grace is recognized.

Read with me over the coming episodes, examples of what the scriptures say about JOY.

“And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people” Luke 2:10

The context of this verse is that on this night, some shepherds were out in fields near Bethlehem watching over their sheep when an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid.  The angel told them not to be afraid, and that he had some very good news for them, that would give everyone joy.  The news was that your Savior was born in David’s town. He was the one anticipated, the Messiah, their Lord.

During the prophetic period of Israel’s history, the Jewish people were promised that God would raise up a redeemer from the lineage of David who would bring physical deliverance from their Gentile enemies, restore the Temple, and reestablish the kingdom rule of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Isiah 11:1-2, and Jeremiah 23:5).

In the time of the second Temple, messianic hope was very strong. The Jewish people were looking for a political Messiah who would deliver them from the iron heel of Roman occupation and oppression. For the Jew, Messiah was to be from the family of David, a military and political leader who would rule as king, and one who would bring everlasting peace to Israel, so this, to them, was very good news and initially brought them exceeding joy at the prospect.

So, what was the source of their joy? Was it the radiance of the angel? No, it was the promise of a Savior!

The truth is that God had sent His only Son to save those in the world, and everyone who would believe in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life! God did not send His Son to judge, but to save people from destruction, to give them a hope and a promise of a new start in life, forgiveness of their sins and an eternal life with God.

It turns out that is better news than anyone could have previously imagined. The New Testament describes being saved this way:

The word “saved” comes from the Greek word, “sozo”, (pronounced “sode-zo”), and it literally means to make safe and well, to heal, preserve and to rescue; to deliver out of danger and into safety, used principally of God’s rescuing powers from the penalty and power of sin and into His provision of safety; rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety.

Imagine, being made safe, well and whole, full of meaning and purpose in your life, in your marriage, with your family, at work, in your career, and with your friends. Being filled with hope even in times of distress, trials and tribulation!

Is this too much to imagine? Is this too great a promise? You will only know it if you know Him, and then you will be filled with a Joy that is otherwise unimaginable!

So, what is the source of your Joy, today? Is it what you have or what you can accumulate? Is it the simple joys of life? Or is it the promise that your sins can be forgiven, and you can find a new start in life? One without guilt, shame or sadness. A life full of purpose and meaning, full of promise with a hope and a future!

This is true Joy, to know Jesus and to trust in Him.

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, And His ears are toward their cry for help.

The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to eliminate the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears And rescues them from all their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the LORD rescues him from them all.

Psalms 34:15-19

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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