Today we finish with the theme of ‘Faith of a Child’. Three weeks ago, we started with ‘Believe like a Child’. Two weeks ago, we looked at ‘Grow like a Child’. Last week it was ‘Serve like a Child’, and today we look at ‘Have Joy like a Child.’
Jesus taught us that the Faith of a Child was the most important way to start our walk with Him. Once our faith and belief in Jesus is established and our walk with Him starts, we need to Grow! As we grow, we learn that we should serve God with all our being. Now we are looking at the Joy that comes with following Christ.
Children follow Jesus with no fear; they love life, and love all people. I wonder if God planned that we would see joy when we look at a child – He did!
Luke 10:21 NIV
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
William W. Orr, in ‘How to be a Happy Christian’ tells us:
‘Joy seekers are advised to remember the interest of the Lord Jesus in the children. It’s no secret either, that the one who desires to, may lead them to Christ very easily…. Thus your joy which, even with leading one to Jesus seemed inexpressibly sweet, becomes joy unspeakable and full of glory.’ 1
Now on to the looking at no fear, love life and love all people.
To have no fear, we must have something we put above that fear!
Isaiah 35:10 NIV
But only the redeemed will walk there,
10 and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Fear has no place in our lives when we walk with Jesus and trust Him to watch over us!
Orr also gives us this quote:
‘For it is God’s desire that we live on the highest plane: a life of victory, of vital service, of blessings to others and the demonstration of continual joy.’ ‘So, if we lack joy we should begin asking for it.’ 2
John 16:24 NIV
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
When is the last time you asked for Joy?
H.B. London Jr., in ‘The Minister’s Little Devotional Book’ gives us this view of Joy:
‘The early believers had a joy that was unspeakable! It was unquenchable, unfathomable, and unsquelchable.’
‘Paul wrote from prison:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4) His joy was not dependent on his surroundings. His joy was dependent upon the Holy Spirit of God who produces joy within.’
‘Early Christians were filled with joy because Jesus gave them hope and life. Should we be any different?’ 3
Psalm 16:11 NIV
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Next, we look at loving life!
1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
A poem by Alfred H. Ackley is quoted in ‘The Minister’s Little Devotional Book’:
Jesus is the joy of living;
He’s the King of Life to me.
Unto Him my all I’m giving,
His forevermore to be.
I will do what He commands me;
Anywhere He leads I’ll go.
Jesus is the joy of living;
He’s the dearest friend I know. 4
In ‘How to be a Happy Christian’ we find this statement in relation to Philippians 4:4, ‘Why, it’s the natural thing for the Christian to be happy…True joy is the fruit of the spirit. And the Spirit indwells every believer in Christ…. It is the Christian with bubbling heavenly cheer that best advertises his Savior. 5
Finally, loving all people requires God loving us, us loving God first and then the people.
John 15:9-11 NIV
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
In ‘The Minister’s Little Devotional Book’, we again find an idea for joy:
A Prayer for Laughter
Lord, help me today to create more laughter than tears. People look better and feel better when they laugh. Let me be a dispenser of joy and fun. Never allow me to forget that ministry is all about encouragement. Amen. 6
Finally, Orr ends his booklet with three acronyms for JOY:
J-Jesus first, O-others next, Y-yourself last.
Nothing-O is allowed to come between Jesus-J and you-Y.
Jesus-J is the whole round world – O to you – Y 7
We need to ‘Have Joy like a Child’ which means to have no fear, love life and love all people. We have to start by accepting the love of God, loving Him in return and then the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to love everyone. All of this is a joy to the Lord and hopefully to you too!
Pray with me to ask God for Joy in our lives!
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