What Does the Bible Say About Joy?

Christians in the Western world love to quote the scripture, “The joy of the Lord is your strength,” and how we respond in tough times should be a testimony to all those around us. However, many of us profess to know the Lord and to serve Him, and yet still we struggle desperately to maintain our peace when trouble arrives.

Let’s look at several scriptures that discuss joy here:

 “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.”—Psalm 5:11

 “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”—Psalm 16:11

 “The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!”—Psalm 21:1

 “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 27:6

 “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”—Psalm 32:1

 “Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.”—Psalm 89:15

 “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.”—Psalm 95:1

“Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.”—Psalm 96:12

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.”—Psalm 98:4

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!”—Psalm 100:1

“He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness.”—Psalm 105:43

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”—Psalm 106:1

“He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!”—Psalm 113:9

 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’”—Psalm 122:1

“When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.”—Psalm 126:1

So often we expect joy without following the steps to receive it. As you see in the scriptures above, the joy of the Lord came but often through the first initial steps of the Believer. Repentance brings joy. Choosing to enter the House of the Lord brings joy. Choosing to serve others brings joy. Shouts to the Lord bring joy. Seeing a way of escape from our enemies brings joy.

All of these action steps set us on the path toward greater joy in Him. When we choose to walk in obedience to the King of kings and the Lord of lords despite tough circumstances, the joy of the Lord can and WILL be our strength. We encourage you today to choose joy! Take the action steps toward Him and trust that He will be faithful to restore your joy in every season, and in every moment.