Thursday Devotion

by Rhoda Barnhart

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13.

Theme: Inward JOY

Devotion

“If only I had____I’d be happy.” “If I won that jackpot I’d be happy.”  “If only I had enough money to_______I’d be happy.” Do you have a wish you’re sure would make you happy?

Being happy is fun—makes us feel good. Having “inward joy” is even more satisfying.

There’s a song I learned in Sunday School many decades ago which I still enjoy singing to start my day. It’s much nicer with the tune—but the words go like this:

“I have the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart—I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart – down in my heart to stay!

Verse 2  I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus, down in my heart—down in my heart, down in my heart–I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus, down in my heart-down in my heart to stay.

Vs. 3 I have the peace that passes understanding down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart—I have the peace that passes understanding down in my heart, down in my heart to stay!”

Having the love of Jesus in your heart brings the quiet, calm assurance of God’s love & promise to be with you always.

My study Bible commentary for Psalm 4:7 contrasts happiness and inward joy:

•  “Inward joy comes from knowing & trusting God;
• Happiness comes as a result of pleasant circumstances. 
• Inward joy is steady as long as we trust God;
• Happiness is unpredictable.
• Inward joy defeats discouragement;
• Happiness covers it up.
• Inward joy is lasting;
• Happiness is temporary.”

The word “Joy” appears many times in the Bible; in fact the book of  Phillipians is referred to as Paul’s “Joy letter”.

Some of my favorites JOY verses include:

–“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:1.

–“Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” Psalm 100:1. ((NRSV)

–“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

–“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

When I sing the “Joy song”, I like to say or think of adding a couple words. The short version would be: “I have the joy down in my heart –because –I have the love of Jesus down in my heart. Therefore I have the peace that passeth understanding down in my heart to stay!

I’ve not seen the “Joy song” in print for some time—but I bet there are “seniors” like me who also remember it, and have passed it on to other generations.

Prayer: God of hope, please fill our hearts with joy and peace in believing, so we may abound in hope, by the power of  the Holy Spirit. Amen

Most Bible quotations are from  the Life Application Study Bible—New International Version 

(Large print edition).