Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Yeshua. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paraphrased
The Fruit of The Spirit includes joy. Joy is the serious business of heaven (Note 1).
Whenever you’re discouraged, it’s a prime opportunity to spend a few minutes tracing the subject of joy through the Bible. God not only wants us to be joyful. He commands us to rejoice. It’s a decision we make and an attitude we adopt by faith.
It’s not enough to just serve God. The Bible tells us to serve Him with gladness – which we can do in the power of His Spirit and on the basis of His Word – including all His words about joy.
Here’s a sampling of God’s Word on joy.
- Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm 32:11 ESV
- Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah. Psalm 67:4 ESV
- He will pray to God, and God will delight in him. That person will see his face with a shout of joy, and God will restore his righteousness to him. Job 33:26 CSB
- I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7 KJV
Note 1: Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963)