You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
The Bible describes true joy as something that comes from our connection with God and not from life’s circumstances. It is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us. The kind of Joy that God gives us is different from happiness that comes and goes; it is rooted in the One that does not change. Our connection to God makes possible joy in all circumstances.
First and foremost, there are many verses in the Bible showing us that true joy is experienced in God’s presence. Our verse of the day is one. A few other examples are these: “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place” (1 Chronicles 16:27) and “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence” (Acts 2:28).
We are filled with Joy in the presence of God; he makes our joy complete because of His faithfulness. The kind of joy that God gives us is based on who He is, and if we spend time with Him, in His presence, we experience that joy.
The Bible does not promise us a life free from trials. In fact, our Lord Jesus Christ said we would face troubles in this world. That is why the Apostle Paul could write about rejoicing whilst he was in prison. His joy wasn’t found in his surroundings but in his relationship with Jesus Christ. Likewise, our joy is not defined by circumstances; they change from time to time depending on the season we are in. We also have a joy that cannot be taken away by the world because it is not of this world.
In the book of Galatians, we learn that joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, meaning it is not something that we manufacture on our own. It is a gift that grows naturally when we live in alignment with God. The Holy Spirit equips us to experience joy in every season, no matter what we go through. Consequently, our joy becomes a powerful evangelism tool to others. A joyful believer reflects the hope of Christ to a world that is searching for lasting peace. They see God through us.
In a nutshell, true joy is found in God’s presence in all seasons. If we just yield to Him and seek Him, we will always find joy in Him.
By Bishop Onismo Goronga, Bible League Zimbabwe staff
