Is your life filled with joy? God desires it to be. Billy Sunday once said, “If you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.” Let’s look into the Word of God and see some ingredients of lasting joy. You can live your life with joy.

King David was so filled with joy when the captured Ark of the Covenant, where God’s presence dwelt, was returned by Israel’s enemies that he abandoned all decorum and danced before the Lord with all his night. (II Samuel 6) David later wrote, “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1). Do you get excited about being in the presence of the living God? “When the Lord restored his exiles to Jerusalem it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter and we sang for joy” (Psalm 126:1-2 NLT). If you have lost your joy, perhaps you are living in exile, away from the source of joy – God.

Apply these ingredients for living with joy.

First – YOU NEED THE RIGHT KEY FOR JOY. If your life seems to be played in a minor key and it sounds like a funeral dirge, you need to change keys, “O Lord, do good to those who are good; whose hearts are in tune with you” (Psalm 125:4 NLT). Is your life in tune with the Lord Jesus? Jesus is the major key. He is the master and maestro whom you can follow with joyful melody in your life. But He must be the Master! (Romans 10:10)

Second – YOU NEED TO REALIZE THAT SIN WILL ROB YOUR JOY. David lost his joy when he grievously sinned. But he repented and prayed this prayer of restoration. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation and take not your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:10-12). Confession brings the joy of sins forgiven.

Third – YOU NEED TO REVERENTLY OBEY THE LORD to be full of joy. A constant state of awe and amazement at the holiness and goodness of God will fill you with joy. “How happy are those who fear the Lord – all those who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How happy you will be! How rich your life!” (Psalm 128:1-2 NLT). Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments, that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). Are you living in joyful reverence and obedience to the Lord?

Fourth – YOU NEED TO REJOICE IN THE LORD. When the captives of Israel were released to go back and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and the temple, Ezra the priest found a copy of the law. As he read it before the people, they began to weep because of their sin and neglect of God. Nehemiah told them to stop weeping. It was time to celebrate and worship the Lord – “For the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Strength for living is found in the joy of the Lord.

Paul commanded us to “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Rejoicing is a decision we make regardless of our circumstances. Paul and Silas sang praises to God from a dark and dismal dungeon. (Acts 16) Their joy brought release to many. In Ephesians 5:12 we are told, “not to be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord.” To live a life of joy you need to REJOICE in the Lord with other believers and at all times.

Fifth, YOU NEED TO REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE VINE TO PRODUCE JOY. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Through fellowship with Him by prayer and the Word of God, we abide in Christ As Jesus’ life is manifested in us the fruit of the Spirit is produced. (John 15; Galatians 5) Are you abiding in the vine?

Sixth – YOU NEED REDEMPTION from sin and death by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. “Happy is the man whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1 NLT), “With joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). Jesus said that the angels of heaven rejoice when one sinner repents. (Luke 7, 10) Jesus offers you living water to satisfy your soul. Receive the joy of sins forgiven and eternal life today. Put faith in Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Invite Him into your heart today. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me” (Revelation 3:20 NIV).

Let the joy of the Lord be your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)