Today we light the candle of “Joy” on our advent wreath. I perceive joy as a deep abiding quality
that exists in the farthest reaches of my soul. It comes from knowing with surety
that God is who He says He is and by resting secure in the conviction that I am
His child. My joy is founded in the hope that I will someday live eternally in
Heaven with God because I have received the salvation He offers to me. The
result is peace and contentment realizing God is sovereignly in control of the
circumstances of my life. At times my joy is a quiet inner expression of my
love and thankfulness to Him heard only by the Father above. On other occasions
my joy overflows with an exuberance that bursts into audible singing or whooping
with delight. Now and then my joy is enthusiastically shared with family or
friends while at times it is enjoyed simply by me.
Does being joyful in my soul always translate into an
emotional feeling of happiness? Do I run around with a perpetual smile and
positive attitude? That would be unrealistic as we live in a world broken by
anger, jealousy, greed, illness, death, tragedy, and a host of other harmful dynamics
that are constantly in motion.
How can one be “joyful” in the midst of grieving over the
innocent deaths of twenty precious children and six other loved ones? Certainly
such horrific acts cause unspeakable pain and suffering. We cannot expect to
feel otherwise. I am reminded of a quote by Corrie Ten Boom, “Joy runs deeper
than despair.”[i]
If you have read the story of this woman of God her anguish was beyond our understanding.
Yet she knew God was her Sustainer and she trusted Him in the depths of her
helpless situation. Only Christ can fill us with that kind of deep-seated joy
that transcends such agony and hopelessness. “Happiness depends on happenings;
joy depends on Christ.”[ii] My
prayers join with those across the globe who are upholding these families
before God’s throne of grace and love.
Jill Briscoe says, “I believe God, through His Spirit,
grants us love, joy, and peace no matter what is happening in our lives. As
Christians, we shouldn’t expect our joy to always feel like happiness, but
instead recognize joy as inner security – a safeness in our life with Christ.” [iii]
Joy is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Following
are but a few of my favourites:
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my
heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” (Psalm 28:7)
“The Lord has done great things for us, and
we are filled with joy.” (Psalm
126:3)
Therein lies the challenge – how do we respond with such
expressions of joy when our emotions or circumstances scream the opposite? I
have found that regardless of my situation, there is always something I can be thankful for and I
also can focus on the goodness of God in my life. It is a choice I have to make
and when I do, it helps!
The apostle James says, “Consider it pure joy, my
brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the
testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (1:2-4) I memorized
these verses almost a year ago, and it is amazing how quickly the Lord reminded
me of them when I faced a stressful situation earlier in the week.
In reference to the inheritance we have in Christ, the
apostle Peter encourages us with these words, “In this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of
trials. These have come so that your faith…may be proved genuine and may result
in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed…you believe in Him and
are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…” (I Peter
1:6-9)
Jesus has become the reason for our joy! He alone is the
One who can fill our hearts with joy in the midst of our experiences.
The traditional German carol, “How Great our Joy!” is
another of my favourites
While by the sheep we
watched at night,
Glad tidings brought
an angel bright.
Chorus
How great our joy!
Great our joy!
Joy, joy, joy, Joy,
joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in
heav’n on high!
Praise we the Lord in
heav’n on high!
There shall be born,
so he did say,
In Bethlehem a Child
today. (Chorus)
There shall the child
lie in a stall,
This Child who shall
redeem us all. (Chorus)
This gift of God we’ll
cherish well,
That ever joy our
hearts shall fill. (Chorus)
Until next Sunday,
Kathy
[ii] Anonymous, http://dailychristianquote.com/dcqjoy.html
[iii] Telling the Truth, http://dailychristianquote.com/dcqjoy2.html
This was great to read this morning as I head off to church to light the Joy candle with my Sunday school children.
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