The Moffatt translation says, “Look to Him, and you shall beam with joy.” The old evangelist, Billy Sunday, said, “If you have no joy, then there is a leak somewhere in your Christianity.”

Can we begin to imagine the power of being the church of jubilant joy in a world that specializes in artificial happiness? I read an early description of Christians as being “absurdly happy and always in trouble.” The drill sergeant from basic training stood in front of me and yelled, “Amos! Wipe that smile off your face!” That was something that I found impossible even though I knew I would be in trouble for it. I wonder, who has wiped the smile off of so many Christian faces?

“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22) We understand that there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh. Even in our deepest grief there is an inward joy that is “unspeakable and full of glory. “

Child of God you are a living candle in a dark world. Let our joy dance together in the flickering flame so the world can see what it is like to be in love with Jesus.

We are the body of a Joyful Savior. Resist the gloom and doom of the devil; and let’s pull an old song out of the dusty box:

“I’ve discovered the way of gladness,
I’ve discovered the way of joy,
I’ve discovered relief from sadness,
‘Tis a happiness without alloy.

I’ve discovered the fount of blessing,
I’ve discovered the living Word.
‘Twas the greatest of all discoveries,
When I found Jesus my Lord.”