A fruit of the Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.[Or Against such things there is no law]
Galatians 5:22-23 CSB
Joy is a response to some prior blessing, success or event.
- Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfill all your requests. (Psalm 20:5)
- Lord, the king finds joy in your strength. How greatly he rejoices in your victory! (Psalm 21:1)
- Then my head will be high above my enemies around me; I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord. (Psalm 27:6)
- How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! (Psalm 32:1)
Joy is a gift from God
- “Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem turned back with Jehoshaphat their leader, returning joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord enabled them to rejoice over their enemies.” (2 Chronicles 20:27)
- They observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, because the Lord had made them joyful, having changed the Assyrian king’s attitude toward them, so that he supported them in the work on the house of the God of Israel. (Ezra 6:22)
- On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy. The women and children also celebrated, and Jerusalem’s rejoicing was heard far away. (Nehemiah 12:43)
- You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. (Psalm 4:7)
- You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures. (Psalm 16:11)
- You give him blessings forever; you cheer him with joy in your presence. (Psalm 21:6)
- You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah (Psalm 32:7)
- Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. (Psalm 34:5)
Commanded to Express Our Joy
- Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11)
- Sing a new song to him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout. (Psalm 33:3)
- Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, “The Lord be exalted. He takes pleasure in his servant’s well-being.” (Psalm 35:27)