The Fruit of the Holy Spirit - Pt. 3

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV).

 

As we come to the end of April, there are many celebrations as the school year ends and summer begins. It was a very special time for me as a student at Texas A&M. Classes were finished, and final exams are all but complete. Suddenly the stress that had been building for weeks is released, and smiling faces were all around. In all kinds of situations, release from stress can lead to smiles and joy and even rejoicing and celebration. No wonder “joy” is the second fruit of the Holy Spirit that the Apostle Paul lists (cf. Galatians 5:7). In our reading today, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (v. 4). Be happy! He knows the source of this happiness, or joy, is in the Holy Spirit.

 

Would you be surprised to know that some variation of “be happy” is one of the most common instructions to us in God’s Word? While a search of the Bible may not always turn up the word “happy,” when we add the instructions to be glad, to rejoice, and to be joyful, we realize that this command does occur quite often in Scripture. Even the catchy title of a song from a past era, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” reflects this common theme in God’s Word.

 

What a remarkable blessing it is that God not only commands us to be joyful but also produces joy in us by his Spirit. The Spirit produces joy in the lives of his people not only when they are surrounded by “happy” circumstances. Even while chained in prison, Paul and Silas were able to sing with joy (cf. Acts 16:25-34). People who walk by the Spirit can find joy in all circumstances. They know the end of the story is one that leads us into eternal life! Relish this gift through the presence of the Holy Spirit!