"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

Can a sorrowing person rejoice?

"The greatest joy of the Christian is to give joy to Christ." - Charles Spurgeon

"If you have no joy in your religion, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere." - Billy Sunday

The text was taken from Psalm 40:1-10.

Brother Simon painted a scenario for us of a couple at the marriage altar. When a couple makes their commitment to each other, they usually have no idea what issues they will face together. At the beginning of their marriage, they walk with quick, light steps. The wife always meets her husband at the door when he comes home from work. Things are going well and they enjoy being together. As the years continue slipping by, they receive more responsibility: a few babies may have been born, and they experience more stress and tiredness. The wife no longer meets her husband at the door every evening. One of them may have been diagnosed with the dreaded disease: C-A-N-C-E-R; or as a result of a poor business decision, the husband loses his own business and needs to begin working for someone else. The husband is quieter and the wife's steps are no longer so quick and light. Is this a sign that their joy has diminished?

Jesus had joy. What was the joy set before Jesus? 1) The completion of the purging of our sins. 2) His primary joy was in doing the will of the Father. 3) There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.

What is Joy? Joy is not a synonym of happiness. Happiness and unhappiness cannot co-exist. However, joy and sorrow can and do go together. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was ahead. The martyrs are an example of people who suffered with joy.

When we become critical and complaining, we lose our joy. Joy is a product of victorious Christian living. Joy comes from a relationship with Jesus. Faith in Jesus Christ is part of the bedrock of joy even in the middle of tribulations.

Joy from Jesus is constant and steady. It does not fluctuate with good and bad circumstances. It is not something we can manufacture. Joy comes form abiding in Christ and is where we become fruitful. When we face difficult times, we don't need to go to pieces. Instead we can abide in Christ which is the place we find strength to continue in difficult times.