Joy Is Love’s Awareness
But may all those who seek refuge in You rejoice; may they ever shout for joy, because You defend them; may those who love Your name be joyful in You.
– Psalm 5:11
You may think of joy as happiness, but joy is not an emotion. It is a supernatural expression given to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Joy is a deep and abiding sense of contentment, providing a foundation for our lives in Christ. Unlike fragile happiness, which withers in times of testing, joy grows and blossoms in the hard soil of tough times.
The Bible is replete with examples of those who continued to rejoice even in the face of persecution. For example, the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while he was imprisoned, yet his letter is one of joy, exhorting the people of Philippi to rejoice (Philippians 4:4).
True joy results when you give yourself to God, wholly and completely, and yield to His will and purpose. True joy is the gift of knowing that your loving heavenly Father holds your future in His hands. True joy is becoming aware of your Father’s love.
Holy Spirit, make me keenly aware of God’s love, and fill my heart and spirit with joy!
Father, hide me under Your wing and protect me from all attacks and harm. Spread Your wing over my family, my church, my friends, and all my belongings. Amen.
Further Reading
- Joshua 13:1-14:15
- Luke 18:1-17
- Psalm 85:1-13
- Proverbs 13:7-8
