“The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” vs50-52

Even when there is persecution, there is joy in the Holy Spirit: this is one thing the world cannot take away, because our hope is not in the world; it is not in money, success, or anything else, but Christ and the gospel, and if your hope is there, then you can rejoice in other things.

A man who is married but under God’s wrath cannot rejoice in the Holy Spirit [Eccl 9:7]. If she’s troubled, then he’s troubled. A man rejoicing in Christ, however, can rejoice in the hardest circumstances, and this is the joy that we must have: It is not in this world but it includes this world; it is in things that can’t be seen but enjoys things that can; it is independent of the world and gives God thanks for everything. Paul says, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving [1 Tim 4:4].”

1 Thankfulness is a lesson we must learn, or we are idolaters and self-tormentors. Paul told Timothy to have a little wine because alcohol is not bad; it is alcoholism and drunkenness. He didn’t want Timothy thinking that bread and water is better, when God’s given us delicious foods and wine to make us happy [1 Tim 5:23].

We are content in a prison cell and in a palace, and we must learn both - how to be happy without AND how to be happy with, so that God can be glorified [Phil 4:12]. A man is not more spiritual because he has nothing, and he has something to be thankful for, if he has a lot.

2 Are you happy in Christ? The joy is there, but the reason that most don’t experience it is because we are not trusting Christ moment by moment. We’ve trusted Him years ago, but the heart is cold. We depend on ourselves, and failure heeps up on us. We are living for ourselves, and the joy He promised is gone, not because it isn’t there, but we are not in the right place, which is in Christ and by faith.

By faith enjoy your family, just as by faith offer up Isaac. By faith lead the people across the Red Sea, even as by faith you forsake the treasures of Egypt. By faith eat the feast, even as by faith eat not [1 Cor 10:25-28]. Let everything be done by faith, trusting God, providing nothing ourselves, and thanking Him for all.

3 Are your sins forgiven, then rejoice. Do you have power over sin? Then be happy. Has He blessed you with this world’s good? Then be happy. Rejoice in the Lord’s goodness. Do not think He is a mean ogre, and you will see joy in every circumstance, whether He gives or takes away… whether we have or we do not.