The Joy of Faith

Philippians 1:25 - “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;”

“I have joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.”

I loved this song as a child growing up in the Church. My childhood was full of joy. I experienced it in our Christian household and church family whenever I was with them. There were times I did not want the Church service to end. The joy ended when I was alone. But the joy I now experience being a legitimate child of God is more powerful and amazing. 

Before the Lord saved me, I had joy because of the presence of church people who cared for me and my family and who exuded the spirit and strength of the Lord. My joy today is not established on the presence and companionship of people around me but on the fact that I have Jesus in my heart. 

My joy of faith has no condition. I have it both in happy and trying times. It depends not on what happens but on the trust and assurance that I am at peace with God and secure in His love. It is a “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

Apostle Paul expresses the same spirit in his letter to the Church in Philippi. The joy he speaks is not for himself but to give and share this joy for others to experience the joy of faith. It is a joy that he desires to see in others. It is a dynamic and active joy that anyone can enjoy living and serving Christ. 

The joy of faith is unspeakable. It is an indescribable joy that has power over sadness and provides peace and comfort during hopeless times. It is a powerful companion even when the circumstances and people around you are not. 

With this joy, there is peace and confidence in the valley of despair and glorious hope at the end of the road. Like the joy of the Apostle Paul, it does not seek personal comfort. It would have been better for him to be with Christ, but he considers it more necessary to stay with the people so they can experience this joy. 

Most importantly, he seeks not to take credit for the joy he shares as he declares in Philippians 1:26 - “That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.” He wants their rejoicing to be more abundant in Christ. 

As children of God, we have this joy of faith to share. Because it is of faith, it is only experienced and enjoyed in serving God and others. It is not simply joy for the sake of pleasure. It is a joy that brings laughter even through trials and suffering. It is a joy that lasts forever. 

Our prayer for today!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the Joy of Faith I receive through Your Son Jesus Christ. Without this joy of faith, I would not experience peace and satisfaction during trying times and unpleasant circumstances. Your presence is enough to satisfy all my needs and longings. May this joy continue to abound and overflow to bring joy, not only to me but especially to the people around me. In Jesus' name. Amen!