Happiness and joy are not interchangeable words to me, because it is possible for me to lose my happiness for a time but never my joy. I cant tell you everything about this Joy for it truly is unspeakable.
1 Peter 1
8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Man can create his own happiness. We see splendid examples of this on every hand, where people that are lost find happiness in their worldly possessions, family and friends but when trouble, sickness or death comes they sink into depression and despair.
The Bible teaches that our joy comes from our salvation and it is a gift from God.
Isaiah 12
1. And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
3. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
5. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
6. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
David also knew that joy comes from our salvation
Psalms 5
11. But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
Paul said that joy is fruit of The Holy Spirit of God.
Galatians 5
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Peter also gave God the praise for first our justification by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and the joy that comes with the election of grace by faith to all believers.
1 Peter 1
6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11. Searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Eddie
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Eddie
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