First of all, what is joy? The Greek is chara: extend favor towards, the emotion of great delight. “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.” (Neh. 8:10) We then may say, “We have great delight (satisfaction) because the Lord extends His favor toward us.”
Jesus expresses joy to us like this, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now REMAIN IN MY LOVE. If you KEEP (obey) my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that MY JOY MAY BE IN you and that YOUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE. (plēroō: to cause to abound, to supply liberally). (John 15:9-11) How do we remain is His love? By KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS! God, the Father said this about Jesus, “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by ANOINTING YOU WITH THE OIL OF JOY.” (Heb. 1:9)
Jesus’ personal circumstances were not always ‘happy’ and yet His joy was ALWAYS FULL. Happy has to do with EXTERNAL HAPPEN-INGS, and Jesus lived from the inside out. JOY IS INTERNAL. Joy is a work of the Holy Spirit. Joy flows from our CONNECTION WITH THE FATHER. Joy comes from living with a clear conscience, BEING AND DOING RIGHT in the Fathers sight.
Jesus prays to the Father, “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be FILLED WITH MY JOY.” (John 17:13)
-Bill Stockham