Biblical Joy and Happiness

Joy seems to be a word that we only use in biblical or church context these days. I think I use the word happy more than joy generally. Is that just me, or is it current culture? The use of the word joy in the Bible occurs more frequently than happy, just the opposite of myself. Happy and happiness is used about 20 times, and a number of those are translated from the same word as joy. On the other hand, joy and its derivatives are found over ten times more often, 242 times in the NIV.

Frequently joy and happiness are described as being different in biblical circles, that joy is deep and lasting while happiness is fleeting and based on circumstances. Given the few times that happiness even appears and the context and translation of verses, we have little to go on to substantiate that idea. Perhaps instead, as Christians (and Jews, given the Old Testament scriptures on joy), we find ourselves more attuned to or inclined toward joy and happiness and so we see it as different from the happiness of the world. Our circumstances don’t define our sense of being glad, joyful, or happy, though that may be true for nonbelievers.

Finding Joy

When we consider the occurrences of joy in the Bible, we find that it appears is specific contexts, in both the Old and New Testaments. Joy is found in the presence of the Lord, through obedience, during praise and honor proclaimed to God.

The presence of the Lord in the Old Testament occurs most often in festivals and sacrifices, such as Leviticus 9:24, ‘Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown,’ and similarly in Deuteronomy 16:14-15. The New Testament uses joy to describe the good news announcement by the angels and shepherds at Jesus’ birth as well as describing the acceptance of the gospel as a seed, treasure, or pearl. The presence of the Lord pervades the Bible and moves in powerful ways to bring joy to God’s people. This is the kind of feeling that, yes, endures even in terrible and difficult circumstances. Throughout the Bible, though, we see that is does endure.

Obedience calls for joyous descriptions of people in the New Testament. Most of the joy references regarding obedience have to do with not having been joyful during times of God’s blessing and abundance, they are warnings about joy. The New Testament refers to the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, as the product of the active Spirit in our lives; the walk of obedience to Christ. We also see that Romans 15:13 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6, which refer to the joy that comes in faith through struggles.

Lastly, we see joy in our praise and honor lifted up to God. The Old Testament often shows us the people dancing and rejoicing as God has conquered the foes and given them guidance. 1 Samuel 18:6 draws the picture of the people ‘singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres.’ 2 Chronicles 20:27 as well describes a joyful procession with ‘cause to rejoice over their enemies,’ and the rejoicing of Esther 9:22 was similar. In the New Testament, Luke 19:37 shares that the disciples ‘began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.’

Joy in our lives

It might be easy to see why we carry joy in our hearts. Since we carry the presence of the Lord with us, as Christians with the indwelling Holy Spirit, we may find that joy is more likely in our lives and felt in the depth that is often used to explain joy. Additionally, it seems to me that the reminder of following him, obeying him keeps him ever in our minds and the changing of our beings to be more like the Son, all cause us to have joy.  The praise and honor that bring us joy harken back to the idea that gratitude brings us joy, acknowledging him in all things.

It is easy to see how joy comes to mean something different from happiness when we have these biblical references to draw upon. But what seems key in all these ideas is that joy comes from God. It is in his presence, the relationship that draws us into obedience, and the worship we offer him for who he is that lifts us up when we are in difficulty. The Lord draws us nearer to him in these ways, giving us cause to find joy in all circumstances.