Sun. Aug 3rd, 2025

How to Tap Into the Joy of the Holy Spirit

Jennifer Kennedy Dean

“You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” (Ps. 4:7-8).

Harvest time was an occasion for rejoicing and celebration, the evidence of God’s favor and the assurance of provision for another season.

“From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine” (Gen. 27:28).

David’s prayer is that the rejoicing in his heart at the presence of God will be like the rejoicing of others over their harvest. Dancing, singing, swirling, shouting—exuberant rejoicing.

God promises us an inner supply that will bring us joy and assurance. Our new wine is the Spirit Himself filling us with His joy. “Don’t be drunk with wine. … Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your heart“ (Eph. 5:18-19). Our harvest is a harvest of righteousness: “Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18).

God designed us for joy. His Word is filled with promises of joy from beginning to end. Jesus’ personality was marked by joy. If you think of Jesus as stern and stoic, think again.

Jesus told His disciples that He wanted His joy to be in them: “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11). The Word of God describes Jesus as anointed with joy even more than anyone else. “Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else” (Ps. 45:7).

Joy is God’s design, and He knows how to fill us with His joy that is separate from anything in our circumstances. If others are basing their joy on their harvest of grain and new wine, then they are basing their hope on something capricious and unpredictable. You, harness your joy to the unfailing presence of God.

Father, anoint me with the oil of Your joy. Fill me with the wine of Your Spirit.

“O God, Quicken to life every power within me, that I may lay hold on eternal things. Open my eyes that I may see; give me acute spiritual perception; enable me to taste Thee and know that Thou art good. Make heaven more real to me than any earthly thing has ever been.” (A. W. Tozer)


By Jennifer Kennedy Dean from The One Year Praying the Promises of God. Dean is executive director of the Praying Life Foundation and is a respected author and speaker. She is the author of numerous books, studies and magazine articles specializing in prayer and spiritual formation. Visit prayinglife.org for more information about her ministry.

Leave a Reply

By submitting your comment, you agree to receive occasional emails from [email protected], and its authors, including insights, exclusive content, and special offers. You can unsubscribe at any time. (U.S. residents only.)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Podcasts

More News
The Lord’s Prayer and Cultural Change
The Lord’s Prayer and Cultural Change
I Found God In My Children’s Eyes
I Found God In My Children’s Eyes
5 Sins That Open the Door to Demons, and How to Shut Them for Good
5 Sins That Open the Door to Demons, and How to Shut Them for Good
5 Signs You’re Falling Into End-Times Deception and Don’t Even Know It
5 Signs You’re Falling Into End-Times Deception and Don’t Even Know It
Why Grace Is the Most Underrated Weapon in the Christian Life
Why Grace Is the Most Underrated Weapon in the Christian Life
Warning to the Church: Gossip is Quenching the Fire of the Holy Spirit
Warning to the Church: Gossip is Quenching the Fire of the Holy Spirit
Perry Stone Reveals Hidden Battles Ministries Face
Perry Stone Reveals Hidden Battles Ministries Face
A Vision of Hell: What This Woman Saw After Her Car Accident
A Vision of Hell: What This Woman Saw After Her Car Accident
What Set This Revelation Church Apart from the Others?
What Set This Revelation Church Apart from the Others?
Rescued From the Pit
Rescued From the Pit
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Latest Videos
113K Subscribers
1.3K Videos
12.6M Views

Copy link