Advent Devotional - Joy

Read John 15:9-17

In the Bible, joy is a state of happiness in communion with God, leading to celebration of spirit, gladness, and delight. It's a central characteristic of our faith and it exists because of the understanding and reality we have in the power and presence of God in our lives. Joy can relate to praise and thanksgiving in public worship, or in the quiet confidence that comes when we spend time alone with God.

Jesus spoke about joy in John 15 when talking with His disciples. He said just as the Father loved me I've loved you. And this is what I want from every one of you - that you do the same. That you abide in My love, that you and I love one another. He said I'm telling you these things because I want my JOY to remain in you - this state of happiness in communion and union with God. Jesus wants us no matter the situation to abide in His love because He knows when we follow Him, when we follow His love, His joy will fill us completely.

This time of year can be a terribly difficult time of year for many of us. Many of us have had a tough, tough year. Many of us have lost loved ones; many of us have loved ones who are sick; many of us have circumstances surrounding us we never anticipated; many of us have circumstances surrounding us we knew were coming but we still wrestle with nonetheless. I believe God wants us to be real with these feelings. To bring them to Him and to ask for Him to turn our sorrow into the joy that only comes from our Father in Heaven. No matter what we're facing God wants us to come before Him and experience the joy of the Lord.

The longer I live the more I realize this world is full of substitutes. It attempts to replace what we really need with something that is less than satisfying. Trials and difficulties are simply a part of life and quite honestly, the longer I walk with God the more trials I seem to face. Maybe this is true with you as well. So how should we react when our faith is challenged by these difficulties? James 1:2 says we're to count it all joy! But what could possibly be joyful about difficult situations?

It seems counter intuitive. Yet, somehow we need to find joy in knowing, and even sensing that God is with us in the midst of our problems — in the midst of our trials. He did promise never to leave or forsake us; and as we look over our lives, we find it to be absolutely true…no matter what crazy situation we're in, God is with us.

We all have this decision: either to complain because of the trials we’re enduring…or to prayerfully lift our souls before him (Psalm 25:1)and rejoice in the midst of our troubles — knowing, believing, and even feeling, that God is with us.

Friends, this advent season experience the joy of the Lord; experience the happiness that comes when we're in communion and union with the Living God. And celebrate in your spirit with gladness and delight knowing that the Lord of all creation delights, takes joy in our praise and thanksgiving.