Overflowing

We stood in neat little rows, dressed in our Sunday best. Faces washed, hair combed, and shoes shined, we sang out loudly in our childish voices –

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where?

Down in my heart. Where?

Down in my heart.

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart,

down in my heart to stay.

And if the devil doesn’t like it, he can sit on a tack. Ouch!

Sit on a tack. Ouch!

Sit on a tack.

And if the devil doesn’t like it, he can sit on a tack.

Sit on a tack to stay!

And I’m so happy, so very happy. I have the love of Jesus in my heart – down in my heart. And I’m so happy, so very happy. I have the love of Jesus in my heart.

By George Willis Cooke (1848-1923)

I don’t find the “sit on a tack” version in any of the “official” lyrics posted online, but that’s how we sang it in Aunt Rita’s Children’s Sunday School class at the Baptist Tabernacle Church in Dallas, Texas long ago. I loved that song – still do!

Friend, my Joy Cup is filled to overflowing. I’ve just returned from three days at a Christian writers/speakers’ conference (SpeakUp). JOY was the theme of the three-day program. And joy was in great abundance throughout the conference.

Four exceptional speakers delivered powerful messages on the joy found only in God Our Father. One speaker even led us in a rousing rendition of “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy.” The song takes on a new level of joyfulness when enthusiastically sung by hundreds of women who love their Savior and are committed to serving Him!

As I thought about this week’s blog post, the “Joy, Joy, Joy” song kept replaying in my head – so “joy” it is. And not just joy, overflowing joy. Joy that spills out splashing onto all those around us.

“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

Psalm 32:11 ESV

Believers are to be people of joy. We serve the God of all joy – the Source of all joy. God wants us to find our joy in Him, just as He wants to take joy in us.

While searching for a new church home this past year, Russ and I visited many area churches. Each church had its own personality, culture, and level of warmth and friendliness. One church had a noticeable lack of either – warmth or friendliness, that is. In fact, it was unfriendly and joyless.

We left the service wondering how a church could be filled with Christ-followers and yet be so cold and sterile – so joyless. Something was definitely missing. We didn’t return to find out what.

What is Joy?

Don’t confuse “joy” with “happy.” “Happy” is an emotional response to your circumstances. Scriptural “Joy” is a choice – a state of well-being rooted in a relationship with the Giver of All Joy.

The Prophet Habakkuk said that no matter what happened – when the crops failed, the herds died or were stolen, and the enemy attacked, he would be joyful. The circumstances were dismal offering no reason for happiness. After laying his complaints before God, Habakkuk chose joy. His faith and confidence in the God of his salvation allowed him to find joy.

“Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.”

Habakkuk 3:18-19 ESV

Who is to be Joy-filled?

All Christ-followers are to be people of joy. Joy is a testimony of our salvation. It’s a witness to the precious Hope that lies within us. Our joy is an expression of the confidence that we have in our LORD God and in His promise of life everlasting in His Kingdom.

In Jesus’ prayer to His Father for His disciples and all believers, He prayed that His joy would fill all believers:

“I am coming to You (God the Father) now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”

John 17:13 NIV

When Jesus laid down His life to pay the penalty for our sin, not only was He purchasing our redemption, but He also made it possible for us to share in His joy. We can have a full measure of His joy. Joy is a gift of great value, but it is a gift that we must choose to accept and exercise.

What are the characteristics of a Joy-filled life?

– JOY is a fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22-23).

– JOY cannot be hidden – it is a flame that burns brightly. Its light points others to Christ, and its warmth is a draw to those in need of encouragement.

– JOY transforms your countenance and your behavior – it travels from your heart to your mind, then shines forth from your face, and fills your speech with love and grace.

– JOY is a gift to be shared with others.

– JOY walks hand-in-glove with Peace.

– JOY is hope-filled.

– JOY delights in the everlasting Source of All Joy. (I Peter 1:8)

– JOY grows deeper as your relationship with God grows stronger.

– JOY takes great pleasure in saturating itself in God’s Word. (Jeremiah 15:16)

Have you chosen to live in the Joy that Jesus offers to you?

Are the characteristics of Joy evidenced in your life?

Is your Joy Cup filled to over-flowing?

Do you have the joy-joy-joy down in your heart?

If not, go directly to the Source of Joy.

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:24 ESV

Father God,

I want to live a joy-filled life, but right now I’m not. Please show me whatever it is in my life that keeps me from living in Your joy. Let Your Holy Spirit guide, direct, and give me the strength to live in Your truth so that I can experience the joy that You have for me. Fill me, LORD, with the joy only You can give.

I pray this in the precious name of my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Amen

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Rom 15:13 ESV

Romans 15:13 ESV