JOY AS A FRUIT OF HOPE

“Therefore, my heart is GLAD, and my glory REJOICES; My flesh also will rest in HOPE” – Psalm 16:9

The Scriptures clearly present JOY as a FRUIT of HOPE: “Therefore my heart is GLAD, and my glory REJOICES; My flesh also will rest in HOPE, for You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is FULLNESS of JOY; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psa.16: 9-11). David declared that in light of the knowledge of the God who gives purpose, meaning and HOPE to life, his HEART was GLAD, and his soul REJOICED. Hope enabled him to rejoice in God with a glad heart, despite adverse circumstances. He was glad and his innermost being rejoiced because of unshakeable Hope in God.

Standing on the pedestal of Hope, the Believer in Christ can display a glad and joyful heart and declare God’s Goodness even when situations are bad, disappointing, or painful. Rather than speak of these, David looked beyond circumstances into the reality of his existence. His Joy was not rooted in his surrounding, but in his intentional choice of a posture that was triggered by Hope: “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You” (v.2b). Like David, we can testify that even in the darkest moments, God is good, and He abides at our right hand in the worst of times: “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (v.8).

Joy is a Fruit of Hope: “Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and REJOICE IN HOPE of the glory of God” (Rom.5:2). While standing in Grace, we can “REJOICE in HOPE”! The assurance of our bright FUTURE HOPE is the ground for our PRESENT REJOICING. God is good, and therefore all that He allows into our lives will work for our good: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). We’re encouraged to Rejoice in Hope as we faithfully serve the Lord (Rom.12:12). Hope produces the fruit of Joy because we know the future will be favourable, and our wait will not be in vain: “The HOPE of the righteous BRINGS JOY, but the expectation of the wicked will perish” (Pro.10:28, ESV).

Based on God’s goodness and faithfulness, David could assume a perspective that made him joyful. His psalm points to reasons for which his heart was glad, his glory rejoiced, and he could have confidence that his flesh would dwell securely and safely. God would not abandon his soul to Sheol, nor would He allow him to undergo decay. He would make known the path of life, release fullness of Joy in His Presence, and confer pleasures for evermore (vv. 10-11). Let’s follow David’s lead, take time to reflect, and feed our mind on the reality of truth.

There are various examples in scriptures, of those who produced the Fruit of Joy through Hope. Paul’s epistle to the Philippians has often been referred to “the Joy Epistle,” as the words “joy” and “rejoice” occur interchangeably. It is noteworthy that Paul was under house arrest in Rome when he wrote this book, but he retained a steadfast Hope that manifested inexplicable Joy (Phi.1: 20-21). The apostle James also wrote: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (Jam.1:2-3). Peter, who is often called the Apostle of Hope affirms that God “has begotten us again to a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1Pet.1:3). Five verses after, he testified of Believers can “REJOICE with JOY inexpressible and full of glory” (1Pet.1:8).