Isaiah 55:12 (AMP)
12 For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
The word joy is defined by Merriam-Webster as, the emotion evoked by the well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires…the expression or exhibition of this emotional delight and gladness.
We live in a world that constantly offers ways for us to achieve happiness by improving our circumstances. Unfortunately, such happiness is always fleeting because the joy the world offers is fickle and limited compared to the joy found in the Lord, the joy of the unbelievers is temporary, fleeting and dependent on situation and objects. If things are going well, there is joy. When things are difficult, there is no joy. Job’s friends in 20:5 give us insightful words: the joy of the godless is for a moment.
Joy is a prominent feature of the true worship of God all through the Old Testament. Wherever people know, love, and worship God, His love instils a joy, that only He can give, into the hearts of His worshipers, Psalm 16:11.
2 Chronicles 30:26 tells us that the people in the time of Hezekiah when rededicated themselves to God and a renewed commitment to God, reignited the joy in their hearts that only God can produce. Believers today can experience this same joy when dedicated to Jesus.
Joy is a gift from God and one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, who resides in the heart of the believer, Galatians 5:22. Since God is the author of all good things, when one becomes a Christian, and is united to God through faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit imparts these qualities to the believer. Joy is also an integral part of the Kingdom of God and will exist wherever believers are present. Romans 14:17.
Psalm 126, first, describes the dream and how that dream comes true, it shows the joy of the Israelites on their return from captivity, and the effect their deliverance had upon the heathen, Vs 1-3. The prayer which they had offered to God was answered unexpectedly, which produced a wide mouth shout of laughter full of joy. There can be no true joy apart from God.
God is the giver of joy and wants us to be joyful. Joy doesn’t come from inside us neither does it come from physical things. If you want to pursue joy, then pursue God. The closer you get to Him the more joyful you will get because the joy of the Lord is your strength, Nehemiah 8:10 and your prospect is joy, Proverbs 10:28. Consider your afflictions joy and you will shout for joy, Isaiah 12:6.
You will make your sacrifice with great joy, Psalm 27:6 because of God’s great love, Philemon 1:7.
Everlasting joy crowns your head Isaiah 35:10 because joy comes in the morning Psalm 35:5.
Psalm 126:6. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his reward.
When tempted to complain or be discouraged remember the many blessings that you have and let joy overflow in you, Romans 15:13.
Let your hope in God continue to bring you joy. Proverbs 10:28.
Live, love, and go in joy! Chose joy!
Shalom