Devotional: Joy vs Hope

There are many things in this world that can bring us happiness like friends, family, food, adventures, and things we possess. One thing they all have in common besides bringing happiness is that they are temporary! Things that bring us joy like fellowship as believers, worship, prayer, and God’s Word are eternal and not circumstantial. This world relies so much on happiness and the circumstances that make them feel good, which only satisfies for a moment then leaves them wanting more. As followers of Christ, we are not called to long for these things even if it’s not necessarily a sin to have friends, family, food, and possessions. We are to dwell on the joy that the Lord has given us because once the going gets tough, happiness is fleeting but joy will always be there. Look at James 1:2-3,”Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”. We can confidently state after reading this verse that joy is not circumstantial! We have joy in our heavenly Father even when life comes with its obstacles, because we don’t put our trust in the things of this world.

There is hope outside of the sufferings we currently face. It can be hard to look past the present circumstances that we have in order to hold on to hope because the enemy wants to convince you that these issues are never going to pass.  Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope”. Take into account how the verse says that God fills you with this hope, joy, and peace. Not ourselves, not our friends or family, and certainly not our circumstances. In order to have joy, we must have hope. Notice how joy is a fruit of the spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” (Galatians 5:22). Therefore, joy is only attainable when we are in the Holy Spirit, not in our flesh. When you try to find joy while acting in the flesh, you will not find it. Are you seeking the Lord in all circumstances?  Check yourself to see if your reliance is on the temporary happiness of life or in the eternal joy of the Lord.

Spiritual Growth Of The Week:

• Find the Joy the Lord wants you to have especially on your bad days.
• Write down some things you are hopeful for.
• Focus on the fruits of the spirit when your flesh wants to make decisions for you.
• Point out any temporary happiness that you are choosing over the joy the Lord wants for you and re-prioritize those things.
• We can only receive joy from the Father so consider this acronym of J.O.Y. when you are struggling to find God’s joy.
  • Jesus
  • Only
  • You

Key Verses:

• James 1:2-3 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
• Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”
• Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope”