Biblical Character Illustrated - Joyfulness

Joyfulness in Scripture • God

invites us to share in His joy. (See John 15:11.)

• God’s joy is strength to us. (See Nehemiah 8:10.)

• Jesus was sustained through the agony of the cross by looking to the joy ahead. (See Hebrews 12:2.)

• God rejoices over us with joy and singing. (See Zephaniah 3:17.)

Key Concepts What is true joy? Often joy and happiness are thought of as synonyms. Although the two words are expressed in similar ways, there is a difference that is revealed by the test of time. Happiness depends on circumstances. If things are going well, we are happy.

If things are not going well, then happiness disappears. Joy, on the other hand, is constant. It is the consistent peace and assurance from God that sustains us through any circumstance as we continue in fellowship with Him. Happiness is short-lived while true joy is as lasting as our relationship with God. Where do we find true joy? Joy is found in God’s presence. (See Psalm 16:11.) We choose moment-bymoment whether or not we will enter and rest in His presence. The goal, however, is not to become joyful; the goal is to know God. As we walk in the Spirit, joy will result. (See Galatians 5:22.) God desires that we continually live rejoicing in Him. (See Philippians 4:4.)

Can we find joy in other places? Trying to find joy in things or people or anything else is idolatry. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit within us and manifests itself as we abide in Him. If we are being grumpy and complaining, this absence of joy may be a signal that we are not walking in the Spirit. (See Jude 16.)

Are there times I should try to look joyful when I don’t feel that way? There are times of deep sorrow and times when we may be feeling ill, have a headache, or are facing a disappointment. During those times, it is not hypocritical to appear cheerful if our motive sincerely is to be a blessing to others. This is putting them before ourselves. (See Philippians 2:24.) However, if we are trying to act joyful to hide our true feelings or to fool others into thinking we are something we are not, then that is hypocritical. Instead of focusing on our own trials, we can turn our focus to how our words and actions might encourage others in their trials and how we might point them to Christ. This is genuine love. Our hardships do not need to stop us from being a channel of God’s love to others.

If I’m not joyful, can it be dangerous to hold in my feelings? Trying to suppress our hurt and pretending to be joyful so others don’t think anything is wrong complicates the problem and can worsen it over time. This is a very lonely road to walk and definitely not what God desires for His children. When we can’t share everything with people, we can always be authentically real with God. He desires that we pour out our hearts to Him and honestly tell Him what we are going through and how we are feeling (hurt, angry, frustrated, etc.). We can give it to God and ask for His perspective. We can claim His Words of comfort, healing, guidance, forgiveness, and strength.

King David models this sincere, seeking heart for us in the Psalms. (See Psalm 4:1; 62:8.)

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The Character of God

Joyfulness in Scripture Joyfulness in Nature: Creation - In Psalm 98:8, Isaiah 44:23, and Isaiah 55:12, we see the mountains, floods, heavens, hills, and trees bursting in joy with praise to their Creator. Spending time in nature is often an inspiration to join creation in joyful praise.

Chickadee - These cheery, little birds enliven the winter woods by chirping brightly as they fly from branch to snowy branch. Their lively warbling has an air of joyfulness that lifts the listening soul. The chickadees’ songs are not only sung in the warm blossoming days of spring, but also can be heard in the dark, bone-chilling dead of winter. Their light melodies are constant despite the season.

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• “. . . when we are powerless to do a thing, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus” —Corrie ten Boom • “Often, after a secret service, Christians were caught and sent to prison. There, Christians wear chains with the gladness with which a bride wears a precious jewel received from her beloved.” —Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ • “It is the consciousness of the threefold joy of the Lord, His joy in ransoming us, His joy in dwelling within us as our Savior and Power for fruitbearing and His joy in possessing us, as His Bride and His delight; it is the consciousness of this joy which is our real strength. Our joy in Him may be a fluctuating thing: His joy in us knows no change.” —Hudson Taylor

Joyfulness in My Life • 1 Samuel 30:6 - When David experienced great grief and his life was being threatened, where did he find encouragement?

• Psalm 5:11 and Psalm 13:5 - In what attributes of God do you rejoice?

Experience Speaks: • “I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways: I can whine or I can worship!

When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.” —Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy

• Psalm 118:24 - Today was made by the Lord, and having His perspective gives us reason to rejoice. Do I choose to see good in the events of the day or do I complain about them? For example, do I complain about the weather?

• Luke 6:22–23 - What causes you to rejoice when you are hated and persecuted for Christ’s sake?

• Hebrews 12:11 - What is your attitude toward discipline?

• James 1:2–4 - Why would you rejoice when you face daily temptations?

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• Psalm 59:16 - Spontaneous singing is often an indication of joy. How often do you find yourself singing or thinking about a song?

Joyfulness in Scripture Pictures of Joy: Joy is like fruit on a tree. If a branch is detached from the tree, lying by itself on the ground, it can not produce fruit. The apple only grows if the branch is abiding in the tree that has deep roots in the life-giving soil. Even when the branch is attached to the tree, the fruit only comes as it receives nourishment from the entire tree. Saying, “I will produce fruit” or “I must not fail to have fruit” does not bring fruit. We cannot create joy; it comes when we are abiding in the Lord. (See John 15:4, 11; Galatians 5:19–22.)

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Joy is like a child in his father’s arms. When a child falls off his bike, he runs into his father’s loving arms and is comforted even though he still feels pain. We rejoice that even our tribulations do not separate us from the love of God but draw us closer to Him. (See Romans 8:38–39.)

The joy of the Lord is like cross-stitch needlework. Seeing the displayed side, it is a beautiful work of art. Seen from the back, it is an unattractive array of strings and knots. God has a beautiful masterpiece He is making of each life.

We may only see now the tangled, painful side.

God does all things well and wants to us to know His joy as we choose to see the situation from His perspective. (See Romans 8:18.)

The joy of the Lord is like a circuit of electricity.

When the connection is complete, electricity runs through the circuit. If there is a small disconnect, it stops the flow of electricity. The presence of the Lord offers fullness of joy. If we are connected and abiding in His presence, His joy can flow through us. But if there is a disconnect, we lose His joy. Abiding in the presence of the Lord is our choice. Choosing to abide is like flipping a switch that completes the circuit and allows joy to flow through us. The choice is not the source of joy, but it lines us up with the current of joy.

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The joy of God’s presence is like spending time with a friend or parent. We talk and do things together throughout the day. There is a kindred spirit and a sense of complete acceptance. The same is true with God. The Lord is with us and in Him is fullness of joy. (See Psalm 16:11.)

Joyfulness Memory Verse Psalm 16:11

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Memory Verse Fun: Guide the children to create hand motions to illustrate the meaning of the words.

Use the hand motions as they quote the verse several times. For example, today’s memory verse could use the following hand motions: “Thou” - point to Heaven “ path of life” - move hands parallel in a curving path motion in front of you “ presence” - raise hands and bring down full circle and clasp in front of you

“ joy” - push mouth up into a smile with your two pointer fingers “right hand” - extend right hand “pleasures” - thumbs up “ evermore” - tap your wrist as if pointing to a watch

Have the children write about a time they felt joy in the presence of the Lord. For example: “During my prayer time, I gave my day to the Lord even though I knew it was going to be a hard day. He made me aware of His peaceful joy that kept me going even when things were tough.” ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

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Doers of the Word:

Joyfulness

in the Lives of Paul and Silas Read Acts 16:16–40 as a family and answer the following questions: 1. What did Paul do that upset the masters of the slave girl and caused them to stir up the people? “. . . turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:18). What are some recent times you have felt upset?

3. Did things improve or worsen for Paul and Silas? “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison . . . ” (Acts 16:22–23).

What is my normal response when someone hurts me with words or actions?

4. Because Paul and Silas were in fellowship with the Lord, what was their response?

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25). In what ways has God helped you to have joyful responses in difficult situations?

5. What did God do after Paul and Silas made the choice to rejoice? “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the

foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed” (Acts 16:26).

Along with peace in your heart, have you seen God do other extraordinary things to confirm His presence in your situation?

6. Because Paul and Silas were in fellowship with the Lord, what did they do once they were freed? “And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here” (Acts 16:27–28). Like Paul and Silas who did not flee when freed, why might God not have us take the easy way out?

7. What evidences do we see in the jailer’s life that show his soul was now in fellowship with the Lord? “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house” (Acts 16:33–34). What evidences of joyfulness are in your life as you continue in close fellowship with the Lord?

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2. What was said about Paul and Silas, and what happened to them as a result of the masters stirring up the people? “And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city” (Acts 16:19–20). How do our poor attitudes or responses to situations affect other people?

Praising God Even in Prison Acts 16:25

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Joyfulness

Joyfulness Activity Joy vs. Happiness Introduction: This month we are asking the Lord to develop joyfulness in our lives. What a privilege to hear Him and allow Him to change us into the image of His Son! Often it’s the pressures of life that make us realize, appreciate, and rejoice in the presence and sufficiency of Christ. Today we are going to discuss the difference between joy and happiness and ask for the joy of God’s presence in our lives.

Supplies: Wooden blocks, tin foil, metal spoons.

Activity Instructions: Give each child two pieces of foil and a wooden block. Have them wrap one piece of foil around the block. Have them create a hollow shell with the other piece of tin foil. It looks like something is inside both pieces of foil, but one contains a block and the other is empty.

When we have a strong relationship with God within us, the resulting joy holds up under pressure and sustains us. However, if we only have happiness from outward possessions and circumstances, it will collapse when pressures come. Ask the children, “Do you have joy or happiness?” Discuss how to enjoy the presence of the Lord through prayer and Bible reading.

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Tell the children that the foil-wrapped block represents “Joy” and the empty foil represents “Happiness.” As long as there is no pressure, they both look the same. Have each child take a spoon and repeatedly hit both pieces of foil. “Joy” does not collapse; it conforms to the shape of the block. However, “Happiness” is quickly smashed flat.

Hymn History of

“There’s Within My Heart a Melody” Half-asleep, the man turned over in bed, groaned, and then tried a different position.

Wearily, his eyelids fluttered open. Suddenly, he noticed an orange glow flickering on the wall. In an instant, he was out of bed, staring in startled alarm out the window. His neighbor’s house was in flames! In moments, he was outside. Shouting to awaken the occupants to the dreadful danger, he sprinted toward the blazing building.

“Fire! Fire!”

The house was a raging inferno by the time he reached it. His neighbors, a middleaged couple, were safely outside, clinging to each other in singed nightclothes— but there was no relief or joy on their faces. Instead, utter horror was etched there.

Their married daughter and her three sons were trapped inside! The ferocious flames were shooting through the roof, and the gathering neighbors sadly realized that nothing could be done to save the four trapped inside.

Fire has a latent terror. The friendly campfire for roasting marshmallows bears the painful potential to scorch fingers or cause burns. This house fire was merciless. There were people inside—people dying! The greedy flames surged upward, catching each wooden beam and turning it into fuel—growing hotter and more implacable.

The neighbors whispered condolences in shaky voices as the heat of the angry flames reflected across their grief-stricken faces. But that was not the end of the sorrow. Someone took the heavy burden of calling the husband and father to tell him the dreadful news.

Then, late that night, the phone rang. It was a long-distance call. Who could it be? Even if he was alarmed, it is probably safe to say that none of Luther’s worst momentary fears were as bad as the reality. The voice on the other end of the phone gently informed him that his wife and three sons had just perished in a house fire.

No one, except someone who has been through a similar circumstance, could fully understand the depths of despair Luther felt. “How could this happen when I was doing God’s will?” his grief-stricken mind questioned. Depression overwhelmed him. For several months the grieving man was too stunned to continue his ministry.

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In a nearby city, Luther Bridgers had finished another night of a scheduled twoweek revival. At 26, he was a promising preacher with nine years of preaching under his belt. Before 20, he had met Sarah Vetch, fallen in love, and was married. They were well-suited for each other and had been happy in the Lord’s service. When this revival opportunity came up, he and his wife had viewed it as the perfect opportunity for her and their three young sons to have a nice visit with her parents.

And what a blessed revival it had been so far! Many people had professed Christ as their Savior, and Luther was grateful.

However, the Lord was working in his heart. As Luther prayed and studied the Bible, preparing to preach again, God showed him this verse, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).

Still pained by his terrible tragedy, the passage struck Luther in a new way. It had a much deeper, more personal meaning to him now. Moved, he took his pen and began writing these words and their beautiful musical accompaniment: “There’s within my heart a melody— Jesus whispers sweet and low: ‘Fear not, I am with thee—peace, be still,’ In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus— Sweetest name I know, Fills my hear with longing, Keeps me singing as I go.”

While all the verses carry hints of his difficult experience, verse three is especially meaningful when one knows of his tragic loss: “Though sometimes He leads through waters deep, Trials fall across the way, Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep, See His footprints all the way.”

Luther’s focus was that Jesus—not circumstances or family or friends or surroundings—kept his heart singing. How could he sing and smile after such horrible tragedy? If asked, Luther probably would have answered, “Because of Jesus! I’m looking on His smiling face.”

“Feasting on the riches of His grace, Resting ‘neath His shelt’ring wing, Always looking on His smiling face— That is why I shout and sing.”

God is the only source of true, fulfilling, lasting joy! We should all be challenged to rely less on our blessings and more on Christ! If based on human relationships or material comforts, our happiness will be ultimately shattered. But when we are focused on Christ and His beauty, perfection, and goodness, we will never be disappointed or betrayed. Luther Bridgers and many other Christians have discovered this secret.

It is the only way to keep singing when trials cross our path.

Bibliography: • 104 of My Favorite Hymn Stories by Warren Shiver, page 275.

• Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan, page 267.

• Al Smith’s Treasury of Hymn Histories by Al Smith, page 243.

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Luther found the way to joy: gazing at his all-sufficient Savior. He was feasting on the riches of God’s grace, not focused on his dear ones or his material surroundings, but looking for joy from God alone.