I've come back to writing today after a vacation time, and another week off because of surgery. I am beginning a new series of teaching from the book of Philippians. Philippians is a Joyful book. It is filled with Paul's effusive love for this church he founded in Acts 16. As he writes to them the word Joy appears over and over... which begs the question, "What do we mean by Joy?"
For a lot of people Joy is related directly to their circumstances especially in terms of their happiness. Yet Biblically speaking Joy is not necessarily conditioned by "happenings" that "happen" to bring "happiness". Now, I'm not saying that Joy cannot accompany happiness.
Nehemiah spoke telling the people in the renewal of the temple and the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem to "enjoy food, drinks...this day is sacred...for the Joy of the Lord is your strength." (8:10).
The angel Gabriel came in Luke 1 to Zechariah, the aged priest, who with his wife were not able to have children; and he announces to Zechariah that they will have a son - John, saying: "he will be a Joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth".
On the night Jesus is born in Bethlehem, an angel of the Lord appears to Shepherds who are watching over their flocks at night, and in their fright with the angel appearance they hear the words: "do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great Joy that will be for all the people."
There are certainly times of real happiness to accompany Joy; but when we look thoroughly for Joy in the scriptures, Joy transcends happiness alone.
As Jesus stands before his disciples in the Upper room on that last night before his arrest and crucifixion, he reminds them:
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:19-22
I'm going to write a bit more on this next week, so stay with me please. For now, let's realize that our tendency is to let the word frame Joy according to our circumstances... but that does not represent the fullness of Joy that the Bible speaks of.
Biblically Joy is framed by "blessedness" that comes from God and leads to real peace, faith and calm resting...no matter the circumstances. What is it that robs us of Joy? The angel to the Shepherds said it best... "Fear Not". It is our anxieties, our fear, our own pervasive lack of trust that causes us to miss real Joy.
For us, Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) at work in us as we live by faith in God because Jesus has done all that we need for life now and life eternal.
As you read through Philippians you will see that this is Paul's own motto for life. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
We might not be able to rejoice in pain, or illness, or in our case right now, flood waters, but we can always "Rejoice in the Lord." Circumstances will come and go, things will be great at times, and difficult at others... but the faithfulness, goodness, love, mercy, and grace of God will never change. Again, I say to you, as I say to myself: "Fear Not", let us "Rejoice in the Lord."
Let me know how I can pray for you in your circumstances, and let me remind you that our life in Christ is a life of Joy.
Peace to you
For a lot of people Joy is related directly to their circumstances especially in terms of their happiness. Yet Biblically speaking Joy is not necessarily conditioned by "happenings" that "happen" to bring "happiness". Now, I'm not saying that Joy cannot accompany happiness.
Nehemiah spoke telling the people in the renewal of the temple and the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem to "enjoy food, drinks...this day is sacred...for the Joy of the Lord is your strength." (8:10).
The angel Gabriel came in Luke 1 to Zechariah, the aged priest, who with his wife were not able to have children; and he announces to Zechariah that they will have a son - John, saying: "he will be a Joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth".
On the night Jesus is born in Bethlehem, an angel of the Lord appears to Shepherds who are watching over their flocks at night, and in their fright with the angel appearance they hear the words: "do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great Joy that will be for all the people."
There are certainly times of real happiness to accompany Joy; but when we look thoroughly for Joy in the scriptures, Joy transcends happiness alone.
As Jesus stands before his disciples in the Upper room on that last night before his arrest and crucifixion, he reminds them:
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:19-22
I'm going to write a bit more on this next week, so stay with me please. For now, let's realize that our tendency is to let the word frame Joy according to our circumstances... but that does not represent the fullness of Joy that the Bible speaks of.
Biblically Joy is framed by "blessedness" that comes from God and leads to real peace, faith and calm resting...no matter the circumstances. What is it that robs us of Joy? The angel to the Shepherds said it best... "Fear Not". It is our anxieties, our fear, our own pervasive lack of trust that causes us to miss real Joy.
For us, Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) at work in us as we live by faith in God because Jesus has done all that we need for life now and life eternal.
As you read through Philippians you will see that this is Paul's own motto for life. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
We might not be able to rejoice in pain, or illness, or in our case right now, flood waters, but we can always "Rejoice in the Lord." Circumstances will come and go, things will be great at times, and difficult at others... but the faithfulness, goodness, love, mercy, and grace of God will never change. Again, I say to you, as I say to myself: "Fear Not", let us "Rejoice in the Lord."
Let me know how I can pray for you in your circumstances, and let me remind you that our life in Christ is a life of Joy.
Peace to you
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