SHEVAT 2
The Fruit of Joy
“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is … JOY (gladness).” (Gal 5:22 AMPC, emphasis mine)
One of Noah Webster’s definitions of ‘joy’ is “a glorious and triumphant state”[1]; however, it is only as we continue to walk in right relationship with our Creator, loving Him with everything in us, that we will experience this fruit of joy. When we begin to meditate on the Word of our Elohim, together with all the promises that He has made to us, how can we not be filled with the joy of our Elohim?
“Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master יהושע Messiah, who according to His great compassion has caused us to be born again to a living expectation through the resurrection of יהושע Messiah from the dead … whom having not seen, you love; in whom you exult with UNSPEAKABLE AND ESTEEMED JOY, yet not seeing, but believing …” (1Pet 1:3, 8, emphasis mine)
There is a type of joy found in the world, but it is momentary and fleeting, soon fading away. Of itself, it is not evil, for there are many things that were created by our Elohim for us to enjoy (for example, a sunrise, the smile of an infant, baby animals playing together, a songbird outside your window). But the joy of this world, if pursued for itself, is deception and death; it will not endure under the pressures of life, and it can eventually bring judgment (see Luke 12:16-21). The joy that comes from our Elohim brings you strength (Neh 8:10), and endurance for the long haul (Isa 12:3; 35:10). It is a well, a reservoir that never runs dry …
“And the taught ones were FILLED with joy and the Set-apart Spirit.” (Acts 13:52, emphasis mine)
“These words I have spoken to you, so that MY joy might be in you, and that your joy might be complete.” (John 15:11, emphasis mine)
Avinu, Malkeinu, our Father, our King, we yield to Your power in our lives, as You cultivate and bring forth the fruit of joy from within us. Help us to ever rejoice in our Master, to joy in the Elohim of our Salvation! Teach us how to draw from the fruit of joy, as we learn of its strength in our walk with You. In the mighty name of our Redeemer, Yeshua haMashiach!
©2021
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