Joy cannot be forced or faked; it is not dependent upon our circumstances. We can put on a smile and pretend we are happy; but Joy is of the Lord–it comes when we live in God’s presence and spend our time praising Him. Non believers connect their happiness to money, possessions, position, worldly power, or other people, which are here today and gone tomorrow. Our joy is in Him who is “from everlasting to everlasting”.
Psalm 27:5-7 “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.”
Luke 6:22-23 “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.”
Psalm 16:11 “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.”
Psalm 21:5-6 “His glory is great through thy help; splendor and majesty thou dost bestow upon him. thou dost make him glad with the joy of your presence.”
Jude 1:2-5 “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen”
Psalm 27:6 “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.”
Psalm 92:4-5 “For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!”
Psalm 71:23 “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered.“
