November 25, 2023
Dear Friend,
The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. Even surrounded by all the festivity, it is possible to lack that feeling of joy. We all have challenges and struggles that can cause us to lose hope that anything will change for the better. I have been there too. So, I want to share how I rediscovered my joy with you.
We are created for connection. That’s where our joy comes from.
A broken connection hurts. Whether the situation concerns a family member, co-worker, or acquaintance, we want a resolution so we can enjoy life together. Without peace between us, it is hard to celebrate.
So, where is the joy? Let’s go find it.
First Joy
Genesis 1:4 contains the very first mention of the word joy.
“God saw that the light was tob (good).”
Tob means “excellent, pleasant, to make joyful.” Look at the diagram below. Can you find a possible source of joy?
(Note: Hebrew is written right to left. Each Hebrew letter has a meaning, which adds up to a meaningful word. Each letter was also assigned an ancient symbol, as shown below.)
From the beginning, God saw hidden goodness in everything He created, giving Him great joy.
Why was it hidden?
The letter t (tet) means “hidden goodness – like a baby in the womb or a snake trapped in a basket.”
Think about both meanings.
Can you imagine the hidden goodness of:
- A baby in the womb.
- A snake trapped in a basket.
Hold on to that information, and let’s continue our journey.
Visible Joy
The second instance where joy appears is in Genesis 2. This chapter explains that the LORD God made the heavens and the earth. Then He made man.
Genesis 2:7 – “Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.”
The title, LORD, means “The Existing One Who Causes All Things To Exist.”
It comprises four letters that symbolically describe the moment man became a living being.
The result was “jubilation!”
(Look at the diagram below, from right to left.)
The last letter, H (hey), means “divine breath, revelation, and light. To rejoice! Look! “Behold!”“
The word “behold” contains all the joy uttered by inventors, scientists, artists, and anyone who has successfully created or discovered something new.
Behold!
When God created Adam and Eve, He experienced the joy of our salvation.
How can we know that?
The book of Isaiah, written 700 years before Christ, reveals God’s plan:
Isaiah 7:14 –”Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel.”
The same LORD who breathed life into Adam would become a “hidden good” – a baby in the womb. This baby was destined to “crush the Serpent’s head.”
Tidings of Great Joy!
And then, one dark night, shepherds were tending to their sheep. They awoke to a very bright light and the most incredible news:
Luke 2:10 – ” Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold! I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all people.”
The good news of GREAT JOY!
Salvation was not a sudden decision on God’s part. He designed and executed a plan of salvation written before the world began. Salvation began with a garden, and it was completed with an empty grave.
John the Baptist understood this ancient plan when he said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”
Joy to the World! It belongs to everyone!
Remember Joy
My friend, when life makes you look down or lose hope, behold your joy! Remember the journey joy took to find you and to be yours forever.
God has the same plan for all people, including you and all those you love. God did all of this so you would no longer fear the future. You can trust Him with your most precious relationships and celebrate His goodness in every moment of the journey. This is the joy of our salvation!
As we enter the season of giving thanks and celebrating the birth of Jesus, choose the Joy of the Lord! It is the best JOY there is.
From my family to yours, have a great Thanksgiving, a joy-filled Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
You are loved!
Believing Him,
