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Holy Spirit, Producer of Joy-Joy Series #6


In reading C.S. Lewis’ book, “Surprised by Joy,” I came across this quote:
“Joy (in my sense) has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again.  Apart from that, and considered only in its quality, it might almost equally well be called a particular kind of unhappiness or grief.  But then it is a kind we want.  I doubt whether anyone who has tasted it would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasures in the world.  But the Joy is never in our power and pleasure is.”  (Lewis, 18)

I disagreed.  What about when we have to choose joy, in the midst of situations where it doesn’t seem rational?  Isn’t it up to us to choose?

The answer came through a sweet sister:
“Perhaps he is saying that joy comes from outside ourselves.”   
That truth hits me and Paul’s experiences and letters come to mind, where he talks about joy coming from the Holy Spirit.  
He writes to the Thessalonians that they “became imitators of [him] and of the Lord; in spite of sever suffering, [they] welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6, NIV).  In Acts, Paul and Barnabas also speak to the crowds in Lystra about what God has done, telling them “He has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving [them] rain from Heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides [them] with plenty of food and fills [their] hearts with joy”  (Acts 14:17, NIV).  
Paul and Barnabas not only preach this, but are living examples of this.  When persecuted in Pisidian Antioch, they “shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.  And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:51-52, NASB).
There is a direct correlation between the work and filling of the Spirit and joy.  
Again, the grace of God.  Joy comes from hoping in Him, and we are filled with joy and given the power for joy by the Holy Spirit.  
From outside ourselves.
So that we cannot even boast in our joy, because it only comes from Him!
But this is not just for us to appreciate His work in us.  Contemplate again the first part of Acts 14:17: “He has not left himself without testimony.”  We see His testimony at work within us, but so does the rest of the world.  They see a joy that is sustained through the dark, trying times which can only come from something more powerful than anything else.  And who wouldn’t want to know a God who is that good?   
 


Whenever I feel that something is up to me, it’s rather defeating.  I’m not very strong, no matter how much I may think I am or want to be.  It doesn’t change the facts:

I am human.
I struggle with my sin.
Prone to wander.
Prone to leave the God I love.

And He knows that.
So in His grace, He gives me access to a power so great that I can have joy in all things.  I have His Spirit.



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