It won’t be long before we will be singing this well-known Christmas carol,” Joy To The World”  I found this to be interesting on Google. “The popular carol “Joy to the World” was written by Isaac Watts, who penned the lyrics in 1719 as a poetic paraphrase of Psalm 98…and was originally written to celebrate the second coming of Christ, not specifically His birth.” Google

The first two verses of Psalm 98 give us a key to the meaning of Joy. “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.”

Then when I read Psalm 51:12 I discovered the answer to the source of Joy, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Joy is from salvation and salvation only comes through Jesus.

What is Joy? It’s Salvation. Where does Joy come from? And how can a person get Joy?

Jesus told us He is the source of Joy in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

So, we know the source of Joy is found in salvation through Jesus Christ. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“How can a person get Joy?” We know from Romans 10:9, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” In other words, the world will never experience or know Joy without fulfilling Romans 10:9.

Is Happiness & Joy the same? No. Happiness is a temporary, unsustainable emotion that is never satisfied. Happiness evaporates during difficult times. Happiness offers no security…just a moment. Happiness is the best the world can offer.

Joy, Salvation through Jesus Christ, is the forever security that comes from accepting Jesus as Lord & Savior…being “born again” (John 3:1-15). It is the knowing & trusting the Promise of Jesus in John 10:28 that no matter the conditions…no matter the temporary setbacks, “I (Jesus) give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

It is with this confidence we can accept James 1:2-4 “Count it all Joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

For me, Joy is the confidence of “No-Matter-What” happens I am safe & sound in the palm of my Savior’s nail scared hands.

Isn’t it time you found JOY?