The Christian’s Secret Of Joy

My soul shall be joyful in the LORD; it shall rejoice in his salvation.

Psalm 35:9

When Jesus Christ is the source of joy, there are no words that can describe it. It is a joy “inexpressible and glorious” (1 Peter 1:8 NIV). Christ is the answer to the sadness and discouragement, the discord and division in our world.

Christ can take discouragement and despondency out of our lives. Optimism and cheerfulness are products of knowing Him.

The Bible says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).

If the heart has been attuned to God through faith in Christ, then its overflow will be joyous optimism and good cheer.

Out West an old sheepherder had a violin, but it was out of tune. He had no way of tuning it, so in desperation he wrote to one of the radio stations and asked them at a certain hour on a certain day to strike the tone A. The officials of the station decided they would accommodate the old fellow, and on that particular day the true tone of A was broadcast. His fiddle was thus tuned, and once more his cabin echoed with joyful music.

If we live our lives in tune with the Master, we, too, will find ourselves surrounded by His beautiful music.

Our Father and our God, You are the music of my soul. I praise You for the joy and peace of life that I find through Jesus, Your Son. Please help me to tune my heart continually to Your will and to live my life in harmony with Your plan for my life. I love You and Christ, through whom I pray. Amen.

Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).