Joy Flows From God’s Grace, Not Just Choice

Is joy simply a choice we make, or is it a deeper experience? Many ask this important question, wondering if joy in God can be summoned by willpower. According to Scripture, joy is not just a choice, but a spontaneous response to the beauty, goodness, and worth of God. When we see God clearly, through His word and by the Spirit, joy naturally follows.

Joy Goes Beyond Choice

Though the Bible calls us to serve God, joy that pleases Him must come from the heart. In Joshua 24:15, we are told to choose whom we will serve. Yet, as Joshua clarifies later, the heart must be inclined toward God. Service without gladness, without genuine love and joy in the Lord, misses the mark. Jesus also pointed this out when He rebuked those who honored God with their lips but kept their hearts distant (Matthew 15:8).

This inclination, this joy, is deeper than a mere choice. It is not something we can summon by deciding. Instead, it is rooted in experiencing God’s goodness and greatness, which gives rise to genuine gladness. When the heart truly tastes the Lord’s goodness (Psalm 34:8), joy naturally overflows.

Cultivating Joy in God

While joy is a gift from God, there are actions we can take to cultivate it. We are encouraged to "serve the Lord with gladness" (Psalm 100:2), and joy often springs from seeing and savoring God's beauty. We can position ourselves to experience this joy by immersing ourselves in Scripture and prayer. As Romans 10:17 reminds us, faith comes from hearing the word of God, and with that faith comes joy.

Praying for the eyes to see God’s wonders, as the psalmist did (Psalm 119:18), or asking for satisfaction in God’s steadfast love (Psalm 90:14) also opens our hearts to experience deeper joy. By looking intently at God’s greatness and praying for eyes to see, we align ourselves to receive this joy that comes from knowing Him more deeply.

Conclusion

Joy in God is not merely a choice, but the fruit of a heart captivated by His worth and beauty. We cannot fabricate joy, but we can seek God through His word and in prayer, positioning ourselves to receive this gift. Take time today to seek His face, and let joy be the natural result of seeing God for who He truly is.

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