Joy. Reflecting today about what to write concerning joy, I
wondered, how does one get joy? As I prepare my heart for the arrival of
Christ, how do I get joy—and how will I know my joy has filled this weary soul?
The most recited verse of course is Nehemiah; often cited when
I am supposed to pull myself up by the boots straps; when joy seems nowhere to
be found: “Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the
sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy
to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” {Nehemiah
8:10}.
More often than not, I am annoyed by it recitation than
encouraged. But I have accepted that the problem is most likely with me. I want
joy; I need it; How do I get it? Is it an illusion or tangible, something I can
grasp in my hand? Will I want to run and jump and do cartwheels when I have found
it? One thing I do know is that Joy is not happiness—happiness changes with
circumstances.
Joy in the Old Testament, is remembering all the mighty and wondrous
works of Almighty God. He delivered Israel from Egypt {
Ex.18:9-11 }.
To fulfill His Word to Israel He called them from exile in Babylon {
Jer.
31:1-19 } to their precious home in Jerusalem—their highest joy. {
Ps.
137:6}. Joy is expressed in Israel's corporate worship life {
Deut.
16:13-15 ;
2
Chron. 30:21-22 }, and it should for us as well, and in which we
should all participate.
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go
the house of the Lord” {
Ps.
122:1}.
Spiritual joys are often expressed in Scripture with, marriage,
military victory, and successful financial undertakings. Christ's coming is
described by the joy of the harvest and dividing military spoil (
Is.
9:2-7 ).
This imagery continues into the New Testament. Jesus describes
John the Baptist’s reaction to His coming as the joy {
chara (
carav)}
of the friend of the bridegroom {
Jn.
3:29-30 }.
Joy of course is illustrated in the nativity narrative. The
birth of John the Baptist as the messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah
is an occasion of joy for Zachariah and Elizabeth, and their community {
Lk.
1:14 }. The shepherds are visited by a magnificent choir of the
angelic with
rejoice, and
joy, on their lips and in their songs. The
Magi, upon finding the infant Jesus, are “overjoyed” {
Matt.
2:10 }. Luke tell us that the disciples returned with great joy after
Jesus’ ascension {
Lk.
24:52 }.
Joy belongs also to the realm of the supernatural. Angels
rejoice at redemption. The shepherd who finds his lost sheep; the woman rejoices
for finding her coin; the long-lost son's return brings rejoicing. The man
rejoices when he has found and purchased
the pearl of great
price {
Lk.
15}.
God has joy in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus {
Matt.
13:44}. Jesus who with joy “endured the cross, scorning its shame” {
Heb.
12:2 }; for believers, trials and persecution are occasions for joy {
Jms.
1:2 }. Peter and John rejoiced that they were found worthy of suffering
disgrace for the “Name” {
Acts
5:41}. Suffering brings joy as believers are joined to Christ in his
suffering {
1
Pet. 4:13-14 }. Paul speaks of his joy in the midst of suffering {
2
Cor. 7:4-16 } . It is a part of our journey of faith {
Php.1:25 }.
Joy expresses the relationship between the apostle and his dearly loved
children, and for an opportunity for thanksgiving {
Rom.
15:32 ;
Php.
2:28 }, with each rejoicing in the other. God's kingdom is “righteousness,
peace and joy” {
Rom.
14:17}. Salvation is a cause for joy, as the disciples are commanded to “rejoice
that your names are written in heaven” {
Lk.
10:20 }. Fellowship with Jesus brings continuous joy {
John
15-17}.
I read over these verses, and I see so many connections that
tell us how have joy. It is not an illusion, or a mystery or hype. It is real.
It is tangible. Maybe you will feel like doing cartwheels. Maybe not, and that’s
okay too. The Lord commands us to have joy. He commands us to
rejoice in celebrating Him, and all He has done for us. I see words like “rejoice,”
“thanksgiving,” and “fellowship” colluding in these holy passages. They are the
key to this joy.
This
Advent
Journal’s purpose is for me to create a
theology
of thanksgiving. I have been wrapped up in the advent theme each week,
almost forgetting to
cultivate
the thanksgiving. I see now how easily the well of joy gets obstructed. I believe
that thanksgiving and joy go hand-in-hand. How can I be joyful for something I
am not grateful for? And not just in deed, but truly in my heart—cultivating a
grateful heart; when I do the joy will be overflowing.
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and
not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He
has become my salvation. Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs
of salvation {Is. 12: 2-3}.
Believing in God and believing His Word may be sound
theology, but it is not the end in its self. Obedience is not enough to receive
this joy. Belief and obedience express to God that He has our will; it does not
mean He has our heart. Our theology must turn into praise and worship—that
comes from the heart.
But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true
worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people
the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who
worship Him must worship in spirit and truth {
Jn.
4: 23-24}.
Worship Him; be thankful for all He has done for you. The
God of the universe turned His attention to a lost, dark, planet, and sent His
Son to redeem you. Make this your
theology
of thanksgiving. Even in pain, sorrow, and in dark times, worship unstops
the well of joy. Grief will lead to joy.
Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and
lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will
be turned into joy {Jn. 16:20}.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with
gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself
is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and
the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with
praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His
lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations {Psalm
100}.
O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, Let us
shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence
with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is
a great God And a great King above all gods, in whose hand are the depths of
the earth, the peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was
He who made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship
and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker {Psalm 95:
1-6}.
To read the entire Advent Journal click here:
Dabbling in Ink...
