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Bible Verses About Joy: 14 Important Scriptures

In human life, it seems that happiness is what most people pursue, through the attainment or achievement of particular desires, goals and wishes. Perhaps it is a job, a car, moving to another country, getting into a particular college, or even marrying someone in particular, and while the list could continue, what the Bible has to say regarding our attainment of happiness and various desires such as these in life, is both beautiful and important.

It seems that a lot of human life is encompassed in minimizing pain and increasing pleasure, or happiness, to the point where some even become hedonists, chasing pleasures left and right. Pagan religions such as buddhism tend to focus on escapist means towards the minimization of pain, but the Bible takes a different approach.

The world will always have its own ways, or latest “trends” on the best way to achieve happiness, which inevitably vary from time to time, but the Biblical position on true happiness is never changing. The Bible shows that God cares about our happiness, and it takes an amazing approach on this topic that is beautiful, unique, a must-know, unparalleled and unmatched by any other pagan religion. So, let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about joy.

Bible verses about joy

Here Are 14 Important Bible Verses About Joy:

1. Proverbs 10:28:

28 “The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.”

This Bible verse of Proverbs conveys that we should always maintain faith and hope as Christians; it will culminate in a felicitous outcome.

2. Prov 24:25:

25 “But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.”

An important component of happiness in the Bible in not having indifference towards evil or injustice, as this Bible verse depicts. This Bible verse promises that those that show a proactive attitude against injustice will be happy; indifference in the face of evil is always heavily discouraged in the Bible.

3. Jeremiah 15:16:

16 “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, o Lord God of hosts.”

Bible verses about happiness

4. Psalm 16:11:

11 “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

This Bible verse shows us that only in the presence of God can we experience true joy; this is an important theme that we will see later in this post as it contains a much deeper truth.

5. John 16:23-24:

23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Bible verses about joy

6. James 1:2-4:

2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Bible verses about joy

In the Greco-Roman world, and throughout history in general, it is salient that Christians underwent several predicaments, which now in our modern world we experience much less. And the apostle James let us know in this powerful Bible verse that we shall indeed undergo trials and we must definitely persevere.

7. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

16 “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

8. Luke 15:7:

7 “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

9. Psalm 32:10-11:

10 “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

10. John 16:33:

33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Bible verses about joy

On the topic of happiness, this is one of the most important Bible verses, as it apprises us of something incredibly important. The inevitability of non-fortuitous circumstances in which we should show salient fortitude. The Lord let the disciples know before he departed of these important inevitable fact, but it comes with an exhortation towards hope and perseverance.

This shows Christianity is not like pagan religions which peddle the circumventing of suffering. Instead it shows afflictions will be an inevitable part of life in the fallen state of the world, and trust, faith and perseverance will be salient in such circumstances.

11. Romans 12:2:

2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Bible verses about joy

This Bible verse shows us again, one of the most important assertion about happiness in the Bible. It conveys that the will of God, unlike human will and desires, will always result in contentment, perfection, and fulfillment in our lives, as Paul relays the God’s will always be good, acceptable and perfect to every human who practices it.

This is powerful as it exhorts us to never engage in acts of our own will that go against the will of God epitomized in the Bible for us. Within the confines of the will of God, there is true, perfect contentment and happiness; outside of God’s will there is none, only the fleeting pleasures of the world.

12. Proverbs 10:22:

22 “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.”

This powerful and beautiful Scripture is a reiteration of the previous Biblical truth. It shows the Lord does care about our happiness, and the Lord’s blessings in our lives will never include sadness or sorrow with them; if a particular decision in our lives does carry sadness with it, then it is not from God. As we can see of course, this a beautiful reverberation of the previous Bible verse in which Paul states God’s will is always perfect.

13. Psalm 30:4-5:

4Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5For His anger is but for a moment, his favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Bible verses about joy

14. Psalm 30:11-12:

11You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

I hope you enjoyed these Bible verses about joy!

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