The Joy of the Lord: A Path to Lasting Fulfillment
- Joon Tavarez
- Aug 23
- 7 min read
Worship is one of the most powerful ways we connect with God and remind our souls of His goodness. Music has a way of cutting through distractions, re-centering our hearts, and lifting our eyes from circumstances to the One who never changes. One of the songs that captures this beautifully is The Joy (Feat. David Dennis) from The Belonging Co. Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, this song is a declaration that joy is not tied to what’s happening around us but is rooted in the unshakable presence of God.
Joy is not a fleeting emotion or a passing moment of happiness, it is something deeper, richer, and eternal. To understand this, we turn to one of the most powerful verses in Scripture on the subject of joy:
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”- Psalm 16:11
This verse anchors us in the truth that joy is not just a possibility, it’s a promise found in God Himself.
Joy in God’s Presence
David, the psalmist, reminds us that joy is not found in chasing after temporary pleasures or worldly success. Instead, joy is discovered in the very presence of God. The verse doesn’t say that we might find joy or that we’ll have a portion of joy, it says there is fullness of joy in Him.
That phrase “fullness of joy” paints the picture of joy overflowing, complete, and abundant. Unlike happiness, which rises and falls depending on what’s happening around us, the joy of the Lord is steady and eternal. When we are near Him, joy is not something we strive to create, it’s something we receive.
Imagine a cup being filled to the brim with water. As long as the cup remains under the stream, it cannot help but overflow. That’s what happens to our hearts when we remain in God’s presence: joy overflows.
The Difference Between Happiness and Joy
One of the most common misconceptions is confusing happiness with joy. Happiness is usually linked to circumstances. A new job, a vacation, good news, or even a favorite meal can make us happy. But those feelings often fade.
Joy, on the other hand, is rooted in God’s character and His unchanging promises. Happiness depends on what happens; joy depends on who He is. That means we can experience joy even when circumstances are difficult.
When Paul wrote letters from prison, he repeatedly spoke of rejoicing. He wasn’t ignoring his reality or pretending things were easy. He was drawing on a source of joy that had nothing to do with his chains and everything to do with Christ. That same joy is available to us today.
My Struggle with Living in Joy
I’ll be honest, there are times when I struggle to live in the joy of the Lord. Depending on the week and the demands on my time, I can find myself acting a little grumpy. I’m not too proud of my attitude in those moments. The pressures of life, stress, and fatigue sometimes steal my focus and I forget the joy that’s available to me in Christ.
But here’s what I’ve learned: every time I come back to the Lord and remember who He is, my perspective shifts. I remember that I have salvation in Him. That He drew me toward Himself and saved me. That He has saved my life multiple times and carried me through situations I could never have navigated alone.
When I pause to reflect on His mercy and His goodness, my heart begins to fill with joy again. Not because my circumstances have changed, but because I’m reminded of the unshakable truth of His love. His joy lifts my spirit, corrects my attitude, and gives me strength for whatever lies ahead.
Why God’s Joy Never Runs Out
Psalm 16:11 describes joy as “fullness,” meaning there is no shortage in God’s presence. In a world where so many things run dry, our energy, patience, finances, even relationships, this truth is incredibly reassuring. God’s joy doesn’t deplete. It doesn’t wear out. It doesn’t depend on how good we’ve been or how perfectly we’ve lived.
Instead, it flows out of God’s nature. He is love, He is faithful, and He is unchanging. Because of that, His joy is always available. The more we lean into Him, the more we discover that His joy is not seasonal or conditional. It is eternal.
Experiencing Joy in Everyday Life
So, how do we experience this kind of joy in the everyday moments of life? It’s not just in the big spiritual highs like conferences, retreats, or Sunday services. God’s joy meets us in the ordinary:
Morning quiet time – Starting the day by reading Scripture and praying opens our hearts to receive joy before distractions take over.
Worship throughout the day – Playing a song like The Joy by The Belonging Co can shift our perspective and remind us of God’s goodness.
Gratitude – Choosing to notice and thank God for small blessings shifts our focus from what’s missing to what’s present. Gratitude feeds joy.
Obedience – Following God’s path, even when it’s hard, allows us to experience the peace and joy that come from walking in His will.
Joy doesn’t just happen to us, it’s cultivated when we intentionally draw near to God.
What Gets in the Way of Joy?
If joy is always available, why don’t we always feel it? Often, it’s because distractions, lies, or sin get in the way.
Distractions – The noise of life, endless scrolling, or being overly busy can dull our awareness of God’s presence.
Lies – The enemy wants us to believe that joy is unattainable, or that we must earn it, but Scripture tells us otherwise.
Sin – Choosing our own way instead of God’s separates us from His presence, the very place joy is found.
The good news is that none of these obstacles are permanent. God invites us back into His presence daily, and each time we return, we find joy waiting for us.
Joy as Strength in Hard Times
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” That means joy isn’t just a nice feeling, it’s a spiritual weapon. In seasons of hardship, loss, or uncertainty, God’s joy becomes the very thing that sustains us.
Think of it this way: when everything else is shaking, joy is an anchor. It doesn’t deny the storm, but it keeps us steady through it. That’s why Paul could sing in prison and why countless believers throughout history have held onto joy in the face of suffering.
For us today, this means we can walk into difficult workdays, challenging family moments, or seasons of grief with a deep reservoir of strength, not because of who we are, but because of the joy God gives.
Sharing the Joy of the Lord
Joy was never meant to be kept to ourselves. One of the most powerful witnesses we can offer to a watching world is the joy of the Lord shining through us.
In conversations – A joyful spirit brings hope to those who are discouraged.
In service – Serving with joy, not obligation, shows people the heart of Jesus.
In relationships – Joy softens our words and makes us more patient, kind, and encouraging.
When others see joy in us, especially when life is hard, it causes them to wonder about the source. That becomes an open door to share about the God who gives lasting joy.
Family Connection
Joy is something worth talking about with our families too. Psalm 16:11 gives us a great foundation for conversations with our children, helping them understand that joy doesn’t come from toys, activities, or achievements, but from God’s presence.
Here are some simple daily discussion questions you can use to spark family conversations about joy:
What does it mean that joy is found in God’s presence?
How is the joy of the Lord different from being happy?
Why do you think God’s joy is described as “fullness” and never running out?
How can we experience the joy of the Lord in our everyday lives?
What gets in the way of us feeling the joy God gives?
How does the joy of the Lord give us strength when life is hard?
How can we share the joy of the Lord with others around us?
Asking just one of these questions a day can help plant seeds of truth in your home and remind your family that joy is available to them no matter what.
Prayer
Let’s close with a prayer that centers our hearts on the joy found in God alone:
“Lord, in You there is fullness of joy. In You we can have joy regardless of how difficult times are. You sustain us, Lord. You protect us, Lord. You love us, Lord. Help us to be aware of the joy You provide and to not let distractions get in the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Final Thoughts
Joy is not a luxury for the Christian life, it’s essential. It is both a gift from God and a source of strength that carries us through every season. Psalm 16:11 reminds us that joy is not found in the temporary, but in the eternal. It is not found in circumstances, but in the presence of God Himself.
I know firsthand that I don’t always walk in joy. Some days my attitude reflects stress more than gratitude. But every time I pause and remember what God has done for me, how He saved me, how He drew me to Himself, and how He has spared my life multiple times, I am overwhelmed by His goodness. In those moments, His joy fills my heart and gives me the strength to keep moving forward.
Whether through worship, prayer, family conversations, or simply pausing to recognize His goodness, we can step into the fullness of joy God offers. And as we do, that joy not only fills us but spills over into the lives of those around us.
So this week, turn on The Joy by The Belonging Co, open Psalm 16:11, and let your heart be reminded: in God’s presence, there is joy, complete, lasting, and forevermore.
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