Even the world will acknowledge the mess in the global scene today. Some become depressed, some give up and become indifferent, some get angry and grow violent. However, the born-again, saved from their sins by grace through faith in Christ's Person and Work on the Cross when He died on the cross to pay the penalty for their sins, the biblically informed child of God, we can be as the Apostle Paul, even sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing--2 Corinthians 6:10.

Sin should never give us reason to rejoice, but cause sorrow, but Jesus said concerning the joy He gives to His children in John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. No one can take away the joy of Christ, it just isn't expressed, at times, as it should. Obviously, you shouldn't express joy during the tragedy of others or of sin ruling in someone's life. But, we can always, as the people of God, rejoicing in the God of our salvation, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

Much, however, that passes for the joy of the Lord is nothing more than mere emotionalism drummed up by carnal excitements and entertainments that disappear when difficulties and trials arise. That is why it is joy, not happiness, for happiness is based on what happens to us, Christ's joy is deeper than that. Hence, the joy "of the Lord", not of the world, or what the world would get happy over.

Now that we have defined this joy, let us see the joy demonstrated. This joy is demonstrated by a strength that ascends and transcends our circumstances and strengthens us in the inner man. This strength is vital in a world where Satan, his cronies, the world, and the flesh, work as demoralizing agents to dissolve our resolve and diminish us to the finish. This strength is derived from the Almighty Omnipotent Creator God and thus, if God be your strength who can overcome us with overmuch sorrow?

Now, we aren't to gather strength to strut around like some kind of spiritual superman, but rather that we may glorify God, encourage our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and point the lost to Christ. May God be our Helper to intervene for us, fill us with the Holy Spirit that the part of the fruit of the Spirit called joy may increase.

Now, that we see the importance of this joy, let us look further to the obtaining more of this joy and strength to magnify our Lord. Jesus said in John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. The Word of Christ is essential to having fulness of joy. This is reaffirmed in 1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.