Joy & Peace

Dear Friends,

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT): ^“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

We conclude this series looking at JOY and PEACE.

Recently a Wikipedia entry mentioned that various research groups have been employing the scientific method to research questions about what “happiness” is, and how it might be attained. Perhaps the researchers are aiming too low. Why settle for “happiness” when “joy” is attainable?

Happiness is transitory. It is totally dependent on how we respond to the ups and downs of life. Joy is that irrepressible feeling of well-being we feel as we respond to God’s voice.

“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.

The psalmist puts it this way, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5 (NLT)

For our joy to grow, it must be nurtured by God’s love. Jesus explained, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11 (NIV)

A familiar hymn based on Hebrews 12:2 points the way to the joy we seek:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

God’s love is also the driving force behind the final blessing mentioned in the fruit of the Spirit: PEACE.

“ … The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 5(b)-7 (NIV)

This peace that passes understanding comes from the knowledge that we have a constant friend in Jesus.

  “Why should I be discouraged and why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, a constant Friend is He, His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me”

As we continue to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we pray that patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – motivated by the love of God – will increase in us, fostering ever-higher levels of joy and peace.

We close this series with the Prayer Saint Paul offered to the Romans:

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

Blessings, Your friends in Christ