Joy

Joy is a bit of an old-fashioned word, and is not used a great deal these days.

Here’s a Google definition: “Joy is a deep feeling of intense happiness, well-being, and delight. While happiness is often a fleeting reaction to external circumstances, joy is typically viewed as a more sustained, internal state of contentment and satisfaction.”

It seems to me, looking around the world today in general, there’s not a lot of joy. We may have moments of happiness, but not a lot of the sustained contentment as described above.

The Bible mentions joy and its derivatives in the King James version 187 times. Here’s a sample:

“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11 KJV)

This verse is typical of God’s entire plan for mankind. His whole purpose is to bring sustained happiness and peace for everyone. Not just for a little while, but forever. Which is why the word ‘joy’ is mentioned so often.

You and I can have a part in this great time: the information is all there in your Bible.