Joy is a PersonSýnishorn

You Shall Go Out with Joy!

As a reminder, joy is not a feeling. Joy is the presence of Jesus in everything we encounter in life. As Paul’s words demonstrated throughout his letter to the Philippians, even chains could not contain this Joy!

Paul’s closing words to his friends in Philippi (Philippians 4:21-23) also include greetings from those in Caesar’s household where he was under house arrest. These scriptures help us to understand that Paul had influence with those around him, even while he was in chains. In Philippians 1:12 (NIV) he tells his readers that “what has happened to me has actually helped to advance the gospel.”

A commentary on this passage tells us “If Paul had been able to share the news of Jesus freely around Rome, he would have reached many of the normal, everyday people of the city, to be sure. But in prison, he had the ear of the most specialized and hard-core group of soldiers in the entire Roman Empire. Paul spent 17,520 hours of one-on-one time with those who worked in Caesar’s household and reported to Caesar himself. Over his two-year sentence, he likely had as many as two dozen guards—high-ranking officers who could spread his message to countless others in high-ranking positions.” (MacArthur, New Testament Commentary: Philippians, 60)

Paul’s influence had great value in the Kingdom, and so does yours. 

What if we began to view our life as an opportunity, not to shove the Word of God down the throats of those near us, but to shine the light of His goodness and love by how we live each day? We can smile and represent Him well. We can speak words of hope, encouragement, and life to those around us. His joy begins first in our heart, then in our home. Our circle of influence includes those we work with, workout with, attend church with, the check-out person at the store, and those on the PTA board. Our expression of the joy of Jesus within us becomes a ripple of joy affecting those we encounter each day.

Isaiah 55 speaks of the covenant of grace God made with His people—a description of His Kingdom. 

Verse 12 (NIV) tells us, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…”

This is a truth and a promise for us. The Hebrew word, yatsa, “you will go” is a verb meaning to lead out; to move forward with purpose. When we purposefully carry the joy of Jesus within us, as James described in James 1:2, we can live each day with exuberance, knowing that we are touching this dark world with a glimpse of God’s glory. 

No matter what we experience in life, our pain is not wasted, nor are our difficulties diminished. Rather, our struggles are opportunities for His light to shine even brighter within us. We are Joy-bringers! By reflecting His joy, we can brighten someone’s day, conquer a spirit of heaviness, and lead others into a deeper revelation of the goodness of God.

When Jesus is our heart’s passion we will have unending joy. Joy that remains. Joy for eternity. And eternity with Jesus begins today because Joy is a Person. 

Father, thank You for being my great joy! Help me to step into my place, leading with Your joy, and believing that You intentionally have me in this place and with these people for Your purposes and glory. Give me hope that even the smallest of things done with You will have an eternal impact for Your Kingdom.

Find the deep dive study of Philippians here.   Connect with Robin on Instagram. or joyisaperson@gmail.com