David wrote that God put more joy in his heart than the joy people had when their grain and wine abounded after a great harvest. There are many ways people attempt to find joy and satisfaction. Some try to find it in other people, or in places they visit. Some try finding joy in material things. While all these things make us happy, true and lasting joy can only come from knowing the Lord. The Bible says that in His presence there is fullness of joy. Nothing can fill our hearts with joy as the Holy Spirit can. His joy is our strength. It sustains and empowers us. That’s because He created us to be filled with Himself! No wonder nothing else can satisfy us, or bring us true joy outside of Him. The Word says, “… the God of hope will fill us with joy and peace IN BELIEVING”! (Romans 15:13). This means the condition to being filled with God’s joy is believing. As we believe in the Lord and the promises of His Word, our hearts fill up with joy. Though circumstances might be tough, our hearts will overflow with joy because of our faith in Him. Even when faced with challenging circumstances, the Church at Macedonia – as Paul writes – still had an abundance of joy. In the same way, we can abound with joy regardless of what we may be facing, as we choose to believe steadfastly in the Lord.