Be Happy | Scriptures on Joy

The nearer we draw to the return of our Messiah, the crazier things on Earth appear. After all, Jesus Himself said that before His return there would be battles, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, and tribulations, then the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars. These pangs have been felt for many centuries, but the rate has increased greatly in recent years; thankfully, among the many weapons God has given us, there is JOY!

Join us as we discover how the joy of the Lord is our strength, the amazing scriptures that speak of joy, and the way joy changes our outlook for the better!

Is the Joy of the Lord Our Strength?

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”

—Nehemiah 8:10

Nehemiah, chapter eight, focuses largely on the reading and explaining of God’s Law—His instruction—to the children of Israel, whose experience with the Torah had faded before and particularly during their time in exile. Yet, it was in this recovery time, this reconnection to God and His ways, that Nehemiah also spoke of it as being the joy of the Lord which gave them their strength. That God strengthens those who walk in His joy! 

This verse and others in the chapter provide us with lessons on the importance of God’s Word, of being attentive to God’s Word and voice—His loving instruction to us. But each of these lessons are also connected to the joy of the Lord, our decision to accept it, and the strength God’s joy provides. Because they all direct us to God…

God is our joy, and the joy found in Him gives us the strength to overcome every circumstance. To see things through the eyes of our Father God, realizing that we have a future and a hope in Him. That even when we do not understand what we see, or are in a season we do not care for… God is with us. His joy is there to see us through… because God loves us and wants the best for us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

—Jeremiah 29:11

Scriptures on Joy

Nehemiah 8:10 is certainly one of the better known scriptures on joy. However, there are many others that also speak about the importance of joy and how it is connected to God. Scriptures that we can read not only to understand Godly joy, but to kindle and increase that joy within us!

10 Inspiring Scriptures on Joy:

• “…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
• “And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation.”—Psalm 35:9
• “Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy!”—Philippians 4:4 (NLV)
• “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”—Psalm 51:10-12
• “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”—Psalm 95:1-2
• “The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!”—Psalm 21:1
• “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”—Proverbs 17:22 (NASB)
• “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”—Psalm 118:15
• “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”—Psalm 30:11-12
• “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”—Jeremiah 15:16

God’s Word has many more scriptures that speak of joy than these ten, and each serves an important purpose. Teaching us about joy. Reminding us of joy and its importance. Directing us to God; to the joy of our salvation that is found in Him. 

And when we spend time reading these scriptures, quoting them, and praying them, each of us has the ability to grow in joy. To access that piece of the character of God; to walk in the fruit of His Spirit.

Standing In the Joy of the Lord

As God’s Word tells us repeatedly, joy is important. It is firmly connected to God, our faith in Him, our salvation, and the strength that is found in the joy of the Lord. Further, it is one of nine listed as the fruit of the Spirit that serve as witness to the reality of God. 

Because God has put His Spirit within us, the seed of His presence bears good fruit; including the fruit of joy!

When we stand in faith, accepting God’s Spirit within us, joy has a place to reside and grow. And by spending time in fellowship with God as we accept and stand on His Word—praying, decreeing, and believing—we are granted a beautiful gift from God. A deepened relationship with Him and an increase of the precious joy that is found in Him.

Now is the time to accept the joy of the Lord and let the fruit of the Lord’s Spirit within us manifest in our lives for His glory!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

—Galatians 5:22-23