Full of Joy in the Lord

A coworker burst into the office with an ear-to-ear grin, a noticeable departure from his usual demeanor. He danced over to his desk, dropped his briefcase, and made a beeline for the manager's office. His favorite team had just clinched the championship, and he was quickly sorting out time-off plans to attend the celebratory parade. Given his unwavering dedication as a fan of his favorite team, we all anticipated that his excitement would be through the roof if they won, and he did not disappoint.

As I thought about my coworker’s contagious excitement, I couldn’t help but wonder how many people are genuinely filled with this level of enthusiasm for the things of God’s Kingdom. Philippians 4:4 (NLT) tells us: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Some would view this wonderful verse with skepticism, perplexed by the notion of exhibiting joy in the Lord continually. They might even think that it’s an unreasonable expectation. On a very basic level, this verse begs us to contrast the expansive chasm between something like winning a sports game and the gift of eternal life that God has made available through Jesus Christ.

The scene in our office highlighted how easily and openly we celebrate earthly achievements. The victory of a sports team or personal success brings immediate joy and excitement, shared enthusiastically with others. Yet, when it comes to the joy found in faith, why does it sometimes seem muted or reserved? Shouldn’t the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus ignite a greater, more enduring joy within us?

Imagine if we approached our relationship with God with the same exuberance and passion that my coworker displayed for his favorite team’s victory. What if our hearts leaped with the same fervor each time we encountered God’s love and grace in our lives? Philippians 4:4 challenges us not only to rejoice occasionally but to be consistently filled with joy in the Lord. This isn’t about putting on a show or pretending; it’s about embracing the profound reality of God’s presence and promises.

Through the Apostle Paul, God warns us in Romans 12:2 (NLT): “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” In a world obsessed with chasing fleeting achievements, it’s crucial not to let those things dominate our attention. We can’t lose sight of the immeasurable value of our spiritual inheritance in Christ. Paul's words remind us that our joy in the Lord isn't tied to our circumstances but is rooted in God's unchanging character and His redeeming work through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's a joy that rises above temporary moments of worldly success, and it remains steady through trials, challenges, and even everyday routines.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live in a way that reflects the joy and hope we have in Him. Our lives should be marked by a contagious enthusiasm, not merely for earthly victories, but for the eternal triumph secured for us through Christ’s sacrifice. Just as my coworker’s excitement spread through the office, may our joy in the Lord overflow and impact those around us, pointing them to the source of our hope and the reason for our continual and unceasing praise.■

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

"Full of Joy in the Lord", written for victoryinjesuschrist.life. Copyright© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.