"Joy"

When something really tickles me,

I might just laugh out loud,

A merry heart’s good medicine,

To help the sad, old crowd,

Of those who will not celebrate,

They think too much is wrong,

Cannot join in the laughter,

Nor do they belong,

To the holy and the happy,

Whose hilarity is known,

Those whose joy is sure their strength,

And all their burdens flown.

Jesus called ‘em fickle,

All those who wouldn’t dance,

Though the song was festive,

And He gave ‘em every chance.

And said He couldn’t make ‘em cry,

Despite a sad, old song,

Jaded and just oblivious,

He told ‘em they were wrong.

The party’s with God’s children,

Not with the world’s fun scene,

Truth is it’s artificial,

Selfish, clueless, mean.

The devil steals the party,

He’s the father of all lies,

In Jesus’ name resist him,

You can stop his tries.

Christmas is a time to sing,

And joy to overflowing,

Cast out all the sadness,

And a thankful spirit growing.

Take the joy God gives you,

His righteousness and peace,

Rejoicing in the Spirit,

And enjoy the Lord’s release.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, of this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT)

Joy is far deeper than mere enthusiasm. We are capable of becoming enthusiastic about sinful behavior. Joy on the other hand is born of God. It is the consistent gladness of heart produced within us as the Holy Spirit’s fruit. It’s the joy of our salvation and is the cause of eternal celebration and lots of heaven on the way. Let us turn from those who are jaded, disgusted and too fickle to praise the Lord. Let us rise above every threat to steal our joy. May the Lord enable us to make our lives a daily party of praise and celebration of grace in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, fill us with joy, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.