Skip to main content

Joy For the Journey

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

Comments

Lisa Moore said…
Thank you Elliott I needed to be reminded of this today. Bless you!
September 6, 2018 at 2:14 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more