MEDITATING DAY AND NIGHT ON: JOY [Second in a Series of Six]

When we read in the New Testament the words “happy,” “joy” and “glad,” these are the English translations from one of thirteen Greek words which God chose to convey certain thoughts to us. One of those words is euthomeo which means “to be joyful; to be cheerful; to be of good courage” (Thayer; Vine). This is illustrated by the use of this word in Acts 27:22, 25 when Paul, who was upon a storm-tossed sea, was informed of God that there would be no loss of life through this ordeal, so: “be of good cheer.” Likewise, we today, although tossed about by our own life’s difficulties, can be of good cheer because of that which lays ahead for the faithful Christian.
Another of these words is tharseo, meaning, “be cheerful; be courageous” (Thayer; Vine). The aspect of this word is portrayed in the joy of the oppressed when “the cavalry comes.” That is, in the midst of a hopeless situation, the one who can easily overcome the problem arrives, resulting in great joy. Sinful man, who is unable to free himself from hell-sending sin, finds this kind of joy in God Who has provided the way of freedom.
Chara is yet another word describing “joy; gladness” (Thayer; Vine). This word is used to describe the “great joy” of the disciples who had witnessed the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Today, this is likewise the kind of joy that any person can have.
Yes, this is the kind of joy God is talking about throughout the NT. This is the kind of joy He offers to you, and by seriously meditating upon these definitions and the following reasons for which to be joyful, you are helping yourself achieve it.
First, you can be joyful because you know there is life after death. You are assured, in 1 Peter 1:3-6, that even in the midst of heavy and various trials, you can greatly rejoice because the faithful Christian knows that at the end of the road he has an inheritance incorruptible reserved in heaven.
Second, you can rejoice if you are a Christian because you know you are saved. The African and the jailor experienced this joy of relief and thrill (Acts 8:39; 16:34). This is truly a cause of rejoicing, and if you continue to meditate upon this, the joy will not fade away.
Third, you can rejoice if you are a Christian because you know your name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20). Having been told, “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15), one whose name is written thereon has great cause for rejoicing!
Fourth, you can rejoice if you are a Christian because Jesus rose from the dead, and thus, the faithful Christian will rise from the dead (Mat. 28:5-8; 1 Cor. 15:20-21).
Last, you can rejoice because you have the Law of God (Rom. 7:22; John 17:13) which directs your steps to a much more pleasant and peaceable life (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Psa. 119:105).
Any ONE of these is indeed cause enough for great rejoicing, but you have all five! May you in the quietness of the day, think seriously about these things. Then, as these truths become the persistent thoughts of your very being, you will be the joyous person (whether in trials or at ease) that God promises you can be.
Gary Henson