When the LORD rescued his people from Egypt they sang with joy (Exodus 15). Their song ended with a wonderful proclamation of God’s sovereignty: “The LORD shall reign forever and ever.”  Alas, it wasn’t long before that joy evaporated like a morning mist. Wilderness life was tough, and God’s redeemed people were often found complaining.

I’m sure you recognize the picture, perhaps it’s a picture you see in the mirror all too often. Our joy of salvation seems to be something very fickle, or at least something very fragile. Life, even the Christian life with it’s “every spiritual blessing”, remains hard going; we are constantly distracted, tempted, assaulted and discouraged by the world, the flesh and the devil.

Even though we love the doctrines of grace, we often live under the cloud of performance related misery. You’ve sinned today, and perhaps it was the very same sin that caught you yesterday – and the day before. The struggle with sin is real, and the misery it produces in us is all too common. We lose the joy of salvation all too quickly.

And there’s a thought that arises within us that says “I don’t deserve to be happy.” So, we mumble along and resign ourselves to the misery of a fallen world; perhaps telling ourselves that that’s the way it has to be for now, it’ll be different when we reach heaven – no sin or misery there. Life continues to prove us right as we face all kinds of disappointments in family life, work life and even church life.

You go to church and as you sing Psalms to God you are confronted with God-breathed words that speak against that resignation to misery: Psalm 16:11: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Psalm 35:9: “And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.” Psalm 43:4: “Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy.” Your heart resonates with King David’s in Psalm 51:8 where he prays “Make me hear joy and gladness.”

You want it, you want that joy – but it seems so elusive.

The Psalms continue not only to express joy, but they command it. Psalm 66:1: “Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!” Psalm 81:1: “Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.” Psalm 98:4: “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.”

I pray that the joy of the LORD presses in upon as you worship God on a Sunday. Corporate praise is a God-given oasis for our souls, we need it to rekindle joy in our hearts.

Reading through John’s Gospel lately I’ve been struck by the words of Jesus regarding our joy; it’s something He greatly desires and prays for. Listen to your Saviour in John 15:11: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” He wants it for us! He wants you to know joy!

And what are “these things” that He spoke? In v9 Jesus spoke some remarkable words: “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” Those words ought to flood our heart and soul with joy! Behold what manner of love!

In the next chapter (John 16) we hear Jesus heart’s desire again for us: specifically joy in His resurrection – and again he says in v24 “…that your joy may be full.” And yet again in John 17 as Jesus prays to His Father, He prays (v13) “…that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”

Consider then please what Jesus wants for you today. Okay, you don’t deserve it; but Jesus has paid for it already. In the Gospel He has secured your salvation and loaded you with every spiritual blessing; He continues to be your ever-present help in trouble, your ever-faithful Good Shepherd. He knows what it’s like to live in this fallen world, He knows far more fully than you or I do the hatred of the world and the temptation of the devil – and His prayer is for our joy.

We need to live in His presence for our joy to be revived. Refresh your own soul in the Gospel today and you’ll be like the man who found treasure hidden in a field (Matthew 13:44) – “for joy over it he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.” In the busyness of life, make sure you’re in the field where Jesus is!

He alone is “good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Life will still be tough as you follow in the footsteps of Jesus, but when we suffer for His sake – “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!” (Luke 6:23)

Jesus wants and prays for our joy – that’s the kind of witnesses that stand out in an all-too-miserable world. As His disciples we have Good News in a world that is dominated by bad. We ought to stand out because of our joy – perhaps that’s one of the reasons why Jesus prayed it for us. When we truly know Him and spend time with Him, it makes all the difference. As 1 Peter 1:8-9 says, “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

Robert Johnston