The preachers quoted here describe joy as something deep and sustained in the spirit, tied to the Holy Spirit's work, that carries a person through the darkest valleys. They call it strength against what has defeated us, and one calls it God's ultimate purpose in creation.
The phrase comes from Nehemiah. When the people wept at the reading of the law, he told them, "neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). The New Testament word for joy is chara.1
Its source is God himself, not circumstances. "In thy presence is fulness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). The psalmist calls God "my exceeding joy" (43:4). Habakkuk's confession shows it standing when everything else has failed: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines ... Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Jesus spoke of it as his own joy given to his disciples: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11); "your joy no man taketh from you" (16:22). It is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and part of what the kingdom of God is (Romans 14:17).
It exists alongside suffering. Believers are told to "count it all joy" when they fall into trials (James 1:2). Paul and Silas sang in prison (Acts 16:25). Paul describes himself as "sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10), and Peter speaks of "joy unspeakable and full of glory" in those who are for a season in heaviness (1 Peter 1:6-8).
Joy is also commanded: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). It can be lost through sin, as David knew: "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation" (Psalm 51:12). The Westminster Shorter Catechism makes the enjoyment of God part of the purpose for which people were made: "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."2 John Piper has preached that "Joy is the ultimate purpose of God in creation."3
The joy of the Lord, then, is gladness in God himself, given by his Spirit, which does not depend on how things are going and which gives strength to obey.
- Strong's Greek 5479, chará: "cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight".
- Westminster Assembly, Westminster Shorter Catechism, "What is the chief end of man?".
- John Piper, "'The Joy of the Lord Is Your Stronghold" (sermon).
In their own words
Each line below is quoted exactly from a sermon on this site. Follow the link to hear or read it where it was said.
Joy is something that is deep, that is sustained, that is in our spirit.
Stephen Kaung
in Philippians: The Joy of the Lord
Listen at 26:22
Joy is what makes you walk through the darkest valleys.
Eli Brayley
in The Joy of the Lord
Read in context
And joy is directly connected with the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Brian Brodersen
in (John) the Joy of the Lord
Listen at 47:54
The joy of the Lord is our strength against all the things which have defeated us, you know, and made a mockery of our intentions to walk with God.
Richard E. Bieber
in Joy of the Lord is Our Strength 1976
Listen at 8:20
Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle--it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word.
Thomas Watson
in Christian Joy
Read in context
Joy is the ultimate purpose of God in creation.
John Piper
in ‘The Joy of the Lord Is Your Stronghold
Listen at 8:57
Joy is a very powerful, powerful force and quality.
Bob Jennings
in The Pursuit of Joy
Listen at 10:59
Where they differ
These preachers differ on how far joy can be shaken. One says circumstances cannot touch it; another warns that it can be taken from you.
Joy is, therefore, not only independent of circumstances, but it cannot be affected by circumstances.
Art Katz
in The Joy of the Lord
Read in context
Joy is something that you can have from God or it can be taken from you.
Jim Cymbala
in Joy
Listen at 4:17
What Scripture says
- Nehemiah 8:10 the joy of the LORD is your strength
- John 15:11 that my joy might remain in you, and your joy be full
- Psalm 16:11 in thy presence is fulness of joy
- Habakkuk 3:17-18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD
- Philippians 4:4 rejoice in the Lord alway
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