Feeling Joyful?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James assumes understanding and biblical insight and shows what it looks like in practice.

“Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

The way Romans handles the fear of the Lord and wise living shows what the author expected his readers to do with it.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

I Peter assumes understanding and biblical insight and shows what it looks like in practice.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!”

For the readers of Habakkuk, understanding and biblical insight was a matter of practice before it was a matter of theory.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

letters teaching in Hebrews treats understanding and biblical insight as something to live out.

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!””

This verse in John reminds us that discernment and sound judgment is rooted in God's promise.