DISCOVERING THE FOUNTAIN OF JOY

            Many Christians appear to be living empty, unfulfilled lives. Some are downright miserable. The pursuit of happiness has driven many to a preoccupation with the material and temporal. If they find any happiness, they have it for only a few fleeting moments. That is because happiness depends on external circumstances, and circumstances are changeable and fickle. “If I only had a different job I would be happy,” says one. Another thinks, “I'd be happy if I were married,” but a few years later retorts, “I'd be happy if I were not married.” A new car may bring happiness, but in a few passing moments it becomes an old clunker that brings nothing but worry and unhappiness.

            Joy, on the other hand, is an inward condition of the soul and is independent from the outward condition of events. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and is a legacy of the Lord Jesus Christ to His own (John 15:11). God desires His people to be filled with joy. Joy can exist even amid the most adverse circumstances. After being physically beaten, the apostles “departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name,” (Acts 5:41). Knowing that imprisonment and death lie ahead, Paul said to the Ephesian pastors in Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.” He knew contentment and joy in spite of financial state (Phil. 4:11), sufferings (Col. 1:24), and rejection (Acts 13:51-52).

              While in prison, Paul wrote to the Philippian church a letter filled with expressions of joy. In it, he gave clear insight how to gain this joy. “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord,” he wrote, and later repeated, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” He recognized that one finds real joy in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This joy can begin at the moment of conversion. The Bible tells that after trusting Christ, the Ethiopian eunuch “went on his way rejoicing.” When many in Samaria turned to Christ, the Bible says “there was great joy in that city.”

            Although this joy in the Lord begins at conversion, it continues with fellowship with Him. John's first epistle is the book of fellowship with Christ. As he emphasizes the believer's relationship to Christ, he says, “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” Joy radiates from the Christian's walk with Christ. However, sin will rob the believer of that joy. David experienced that loss, and confessed his sin begging God to, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,” (Psalm 51:12a).  However bleak the situation may be, joy can flood the soul if the relationship with the Lord is right. The fountain of joy flows from the well of fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

            God, in His grace, has also made it possible for the Christian to find joy in his relationship with other Christians. As Christians support one another, joy flows from that stream. How sad it is when believers cause heartache and grief for each other! God does not intend it to be that way. Paul wrote to the Philippians,

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; (Phil. 1:3-5).

            His relationship with them was a source of joy, and this relationship developed into mutual ministry. Paul's ministry to the Philippians caused their joy.

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. (Phil. 1:25-26)

Similarly, the ministry of the Philippian church to Paul brought him joy. In 4:10 he wrote, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again.” When Epaphroditus regained his health, his ministry gave joy to both Paul and the Philippians (Phil. 2:25-30). In chapter two and verse two, Paul tells that unity and harmony in the Philippian church would bring joy to him.

            God also gives joy to the believer that serves Him. In Philippians 1:18, Paul found joy in the presentation of the gospel, though it meant his own imprisonment. He also call the people he won to Christ,”my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown.” To the Thessalonian believers Paul said, “For ye are our glory and joy.” Certainly, being used of God to bring sinners to a saving knowledge of Christ is a joy of the greatest sort. Charles Spurgeon wrote in his book, The Soul Winner, “never did I know perfect overflowing, unutterable happiness of the purest and most enabling order, till I first heard of one who sought and found a Savior through my means.” I fully agree with him!

            Joy also results from seeing these new believers develop a faithful, obedient walk with the Lord. As Paul exhorted his beloved in Philippi to be faithful and fruitful, he said, “if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.” In his third letter, John summed it up well when he said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

            If your life lacks in happiness, why not come to the fountain of joy. It flows from our relationship with Christ, our relationship with other Christians, and our ministry for Christ.