That your Joy might be Full

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:9-11)

And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you, Whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23-24)

From these two excerpts comes today’s main point: Jesus’ desire for us is that we be FULL OF JOY. Maybe it’s just me, but have you ever noticed how few truly joyful people you come across in life? Finding people that whine and complain is pretty easy, but finding truly joyful people seems to take some effort.

Now, if Jesus’ desire is that we be full of joy, why do there seem to be so few around? Well, what do we see in the above verses? John 15 points out the need to keep His commandments, and to abide in His love. John 16 points out the need to ask the Father in Jesus’ name. Putting these together I conclude true joy is a result and reflection on our relationship with Jesus. Let’s look at another excerpt from the Bible:

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For you will not leave my soul in hell; neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:8-11)

So again, we see that joy results as we spend time close to God: in His presence is fullness of Joy. Actually, as we see in Galatians, joy is one component of the fruit of the Holy Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against these there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)

So, if we lack joy in our life, I believe it is time to check our spirit, or more accurately our relationship with the Holy Spirit. If a “fruit” is the mature state in the life of a tree or plant, a lack of it in our life indicates a level of immaturity on our part. Not that we should feel condemned by that, but we should seek to grow in that area. A lack of joy indicates we need to get closer to the joy giver!

Now, what about when we are facing difficult circumstances in our life? What does the Bible say about those situations? Let’s read:

Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9)

Wow! You mean that even when we need to be in heaviness due to trials and temptations we should be greatly rejoicing? Maybe this is just a stray verse, right? Wrong:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. (James 1:2-3)

Again, wow! First it was Peter, now James is telling us that we should count it all joy when we fall into different temptations, as it will build our faith. What about Jesus? Did joy affect his life during the hard times? Let’s read:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

In Jesus’ case, we see not only was joy a result of His obedience to the Father (remember what John 15 said about keeping His commandments?), but joy was the thing that motivated Him to endure the cross! Looking toward His future joy carried Him through the pain and suffering of the cross.

In our church, there is a woman who has been battling for her health for years (fighting against cancer). And yet, when we see her in the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services, she exhibits extreme joy as she worships and praises the Lord. As I see how she experiences and exhibits joy through her circumstances, I find myself feeling convicted over the relatively minor things that can set me off.

Now, don’t get me wrong – there is a place for weeping and mourning:

Sing unto the LORD, O you saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:4-5)

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6)

So, in spite of the trials, tribulations and circumstance, we can and should expect joy. By keeping ourselves in the presence of God, and in the power of His Holy Spirit, we can experience the fullness of joy. One last thought: joy is a fruit, but it is also a choice:

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

So, let’s choose to go forth in the fullness of joy this week, as we dwell in the presence of the Lord!

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