Joy - (Advent Week 3 - 2025)

What is joy?

It’s not happiness. It’s not the feeling of pleasure you feel when someone tells a joke and laughs. It’s not a really nice day when you forget about your trials in life.

Joy is when life is life - with trials and difficulties - and within life, you find yourself free from the weight, fear, and anxieties in this life. Joy is almost like a freedom in that sense.

The Promise of Joy

Isaiah 35:1-3,5-6

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.”

“The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.”

“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.”

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

The Fulfillment of Joy (not yet)

Isaiah 35:10, “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Joy for Today (already)

Isaiah 35:4, “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’”