Topical Bible: Joy: Promised to Saints

◄ Joy: Promised to Saints ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian faith, joy is a profound and abiding sense of happiness and contentment that is promised to the saints—those who are set apart for God through faith in Jesus Christ. This joy is not merely an emotional response to favorable circumstances but is deeply rooted in the spiritual realities of God's promises and presence.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently speaks of joy as a gift from God, a fruit of the Spirit, and a hallmark of the Christian life. In Galatians 5:22, the Apostle Paul lists joy as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is a natural outcome of a life lived in accordance with the Holy Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" .

Joy in Salvation

One of the primary sources of joy for the saints is the salvation provided through Jesus Christ. In Psalm 51:12, David prays, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit" . This verse highlights the joy that comes from knowing one's sins are forgiven and being in right relationship with God.

Joy in God's Presence

The presence of God is another wellspring of joy for believers. Psalm 16:11 declares, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand" . This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is found in the intimate fellowship with God.

Joy in Trials

Remarkably, the Bible also speaks of joy in the context of trials and suffering. James 1:2-3 encourages believers, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" . This joy is rooted in the understanding that trials produce spiritual maturity and deeper reliance on God.

Eternal Joy

The promise of eternal joy is a central hope for the saints. In Revelation 21:4, the future joy of believers is described: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This eternal joy is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

Joy in Fellowship

Christian fellowship is another source of joy. The Apostle John writes in 1 John 1:3-4, "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write these things so that our joy may be complete" . The shared faith and community among believers enhance their joy.

Conclusion

The joy promised to the saints is a multifaceted gift that encompasses salvation, God's presence, perseverance through trials, the hope of eternal life, and the fellowship of believers. It is a joy that transcends circumstances and is anchored in the unchanging nature of God and His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 132:16
I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy on their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
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Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
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Isaiah 56:7
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Promise of Eternal Blessedness to the Saints, and ...
... so this also shall be fulfilled which He promised to the ... And I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and joy in my ... another place by the same prophet: "The saints of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the promise of.htm

Of True Meekness and Adversity: and of the Example of the Saints ...
... of penitence and be busy to follow saints' lives; so ... to keep in mind the crown of
eternal joy, that being found waking we may receive the bliss promised. ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxvii of true meekness.htm

If this Queen Ye See Not, Now Rich Also with Royal Progeny. If She ...
... that fulfilled which she heard to have been promised, she, unto ... Who art in Heaven;"
and in her saints in the ... he says, "They shall be brought in joy and gladness ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /6 if this queen ye.htm

Christ's Millennial and Heavenly Glory in Company with his Saints.
... But we do confess that a kingdom is promised to us ... been provided by God for receiving
the saints on their ... worthy that His servants should have their joy in the ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxv christs millennial and heavenly.htm

He Fortifies his Opinions with Regard to the Temporal and Earthly ...
... temporal and earthly kingdom of the saints after their ... servants watching, to whom
the Lord promised that He ... plainly declared that there shall be joy of this ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiv he fortifies his opinions.htm

All Saints' Day
... understand the bliss of that everlasting All Saints' Day which ... great reward in heaven
which our Lord promised them ... has answered, with a flush of keenest joy, Yes ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon i all saints day.htm

Of the Holy Brother James of Fallerone, and How, after his Death ...
... by a multitude of angels and saints; but Brother ... of angels, his countenance beaming
with joy; and Brother ... appear to me on the day thou promised?" Brother James ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter li of the holy.htm

Utterances of the Prophet Isaiah Regarding the Resurrection of the ...
... speaking repeatedly, and under many figures, of the things promised to the saints,
and saying ... I will make Jerusalem an exultation, and my people a joy. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 utterances of the prophet.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... only hope is in the fact, that God has promised to keep ... is, that, if the salvation
of the saints is certain ... with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

The Beauty and Glory of the Risen Body.
... heart, pressing it to her bosom, is a faint image of the joy which the ... Exodus
16.p>This is the light, the brilliancy which is promised to the saints by our ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter v the beauty and.htm