• Jehovah Is Our “Exceeding Joy”
    The Watchtower (Study)—2025 | October

    • THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS AND JOY

      3. What does creation teach us about Jehovah? (See also pictures.)

      3 Jehovah has always been happy. And he wants us to be happy, joyful. So it is not surprising that we see his joy reflected in his creation​—our beautiful planet, the endless variety of colors around us, the playful antics of animals, and an abundance of delicious food. God truly loves us and wants us to enjoy life!

      Collage: The playful nature of various animals. 1. A baby elephant frolics in the water. 2. Penguin chicks waddle across the snow. 3. Baby goats playfully jump around in a field. 4. Dolphins propel themselves out of the water.

      Baby elephant: Image © Romi Gamit/​Shutterstock; penguin chicks: Vladimir Seliverstov/​500px via Getty Images; baby goats: Rita Kochmarjova/​stock.adobe.com; two dolphins: georgeclerk/​E+ via Getty Images

      The playful antics of animals reflect Jehovah’s joy (See paragraph 3)

      4. (a) How can Jehovah remain happy despite the suffering he sees in the world? (b) What is Jehovah’s gift to us? (Psalm 16:11)

      4 Although Jehovah is “the happy God,” he is fully aware of the heartache and suffering in the world. (1 Tim. 1:11) But he has not allowed this reality to diminish his joy. He knows that all suffering is temporary​—he himself has set its expiration date. And he is patiently enduring until the day when he will undo all sorrow and suffering forever. In the meantime, Jehovah understands what we are going through and wants to help us. How does he help us? For one thing, he gives us the gift of joy. (Read Psalm 16:11.) Note how he shared that gift with his Son, Jesus.

      5-6. Why is Jesus joyful?

      5 From among all of Jehovah’s creations, Jesus is the happiest. Why? Consider two reasons. (1) “He is the image of the invisible God” and perfectly reflects his Father’s personality in every way. (Col. 1:15; see “happy” study note on 1 Timothy 6:15.) (2) Jesus has spent the most time with his Father, who is the Source of happiness.

      6 Jesus has always found joy in doing whatever his Father asks him to do. (Prov. 8:30, 31; John 8:29) As a result of his faithful course, he has the favor and the approval of Jehovah.​—Matt. 3:17.

      7. How can we find true joy?

      7 We too can find true joy by drawing close to Jehovah, the Source of happiness. The more time we spend learning about Jehovah and imitating him, the happier we will be. We will also find joy in doing God’s will and in knowing that we have his approval.a (Ps. 33:12) But what if we feel an occasional or even a persistent lack of joy? Does this mean that we do not have God’s approval? No! We are imperfect and at times suffer from pain, sadness, and depression. Jehovah understands this. (Ps. 103:14)