What is Comfort?, What is Joy?

Comfort and Joy Revealed

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 One of my favorite Christmas songs is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. The lyrics include, “Let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.”

These words speak to me. I want to walk around in comfort and joy, but I need to understand what this really means. I have to admit,  I love comfort (ease and freedom from pain and grief). Don’t we all? From my soft down pillows to my built-in propensity to pursue relief from pain at all costs, I’m a comfort junkie.

But this kind of comfort can’t be what’s meant by the words. Christ’s coming hasn’t signaled ease and pain-free living. Far from it. To reconcile the difference,  I turn to Scripture:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. (II Corinthians 1:3-5 NASB)

Somehow Paul is able to mention affliction (pressure, a pressing together, tribulation, distress) and comfort in the same sentence? He calls the Lord the God of all comfort, able to comfort us in all our afflictions. I know God’s isn’t an Eternal Pain Relief. He is able to relieve all pain, but often He chooses to supersede our sufferings with the Joy of His presence. The Greek word Paul used for “comfort” means to call to one side, to summon near. True comfort is God’s nearness.

When I found out about my mother’s cancer moments after my Sebring’s motor seized up, leaving me stranded on a barren rural road, I sensed God’s nearness. It didn’t alleviate the pain, but His presence gave me a deep sense of well-being. My outer world was crashing down around me, but I sensed a joy deep within. Would I have known the extent of His Comfort and Joy without that experience? I don’t think so.

The night before He died, Jesus told His disciples about the “Comforter” sent to be with us forever, His Holy Spirit.

  • Comfort and Joy is always available
  • Comfort and Joy is not a feeling
  • Comfort and Joy is a Person

Rest merry Gentlemen. In the Joy of God’s Presence, there’s nothing to dismay. Remember. Christ,  Our Savior, was born on Christmas day. He’s saved us all from Satan’s spell, even when we’d wondered far away. In Christ,  there’s true Comfort and Joy no matter what comes our way.

Lord, when I began pondering the words of this song earlier today, comfort and joy were far from me. The swirl of the world had distracted me from the joy of Your nearness. Thank you for bringing me back to the simplicity of Your continual presence. Your Comfort and Joy is much more powerful than any earthly happening. Please help me to always remember this. 

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Completely Loved, Free to Love

Longing Hearts

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“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted , And saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NASB)

Holidays can be hard when we’re missing folks we love. Longings brought on by death, distance and estrangement are extenuated during times of togetherness and celebration. These situations affect most families. Common survival techniques include pretending, numbing and busyness. They don’t work.

As the holidays approach, I’ve been asking God for His comfort when people I love are absent. I’m asking for clarity and a deeper understanding of His love. I know He’s with me through all of life’s struggles, especially when my heart aches.

In the comfort of His nearness I’m learning:

God’s Love Fills Every Fiber of My Longing Heart

David wrote:

“My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”[1]

“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to meditate in His temple.”[2]

“You have put gladness in my heart , More than when their grain and new wine abound.”[3]

As much as I miss folks who are absent, there’s a growing awareness of God’s nearness and His preeminent love. His love fills my longing heart to overflowing.

Henri Nouwen calls God’s love our first love and all other loves second. He says we get crushed when we begin to demand from lesser loves what only God can give.[4] “God has created you and me with a heart that only God’s love can satisfy. And every other love will be partial, will be real but limited, will be painful.”[5]

Human absence Deepens Dependence on God’s Love

Nouwen also said that if we’re willing to not let the pain of lesser loves make us bitter, it will prune us and give us a deeper sense of our being beloved by God. When this happens, we can be free as Jesus.[6]

As much as the absence of those we love can hurt,  it can drive us deeper into the unfailing love of God in Christ. This growing awareness of God’s unconditional, never ending love fortifies our longing hearts and infuses us with the Joy of God’s nearness.

Resting in God’s Love Frees us to Love

Jesus said, “As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; Now remain in My love.” (John 15:9 NIV)

As I’m learning to walk in God’s love for me, soaking in the completeness of His embrace, He’s bringing freedom. Unchained from incapacitating grief, I can love the people who are near, as He’s loved me.

Lord, You’ve heard the pain of my longing heart. You’re teaching me of Your great love. Human love was never meant to satisfy. You complete me, freeing me to love with no expectations.  If I can’t be with the ones I love, allow me to love the ones I’m with.  

[1] Psalm 63:1

[2] Psalm 27:4

[3] Psalm 4:7

[4] Documentary – Journey of the Heart: Henri Nouwen

[5] The Hour of Power June 1992

[6] Documentary – Journey of the Heart: Henri Nouwen

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

God's Everlasting Love, God's Grace

Quiet Time with Hyatt

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Even before we had our first child, my bride and I have been praying that a Godly heritage would be established in our family. Both of us come from families in which Christ was not preeminent. We both believed in Jesus as our Rescuer and Transformer in our twenties. We’ve prayed early and often for our kids and grandkids that they’d come to faith at an early age and would marry spouses who put God first.

Because we’re traveling uncharted territory from our heritage, a friend calls us pioneers. Having taken plenty of wrong turns as we forged our way, I resonate with this description. We’ve had our struggles as a family, but in spite of us, our kids are establishing lines of their own and families of faith are growing.

Recently, our daughter Elizabeth told us an amazing story concerning Hyatt, our young grandson. Our son in law  gave him and our granddaughter a journal and a pen. Hyatt asked his mom to be sure he was up at 7:00 on weekdays and 8:30 on weekends so that he could have a quiet time like Pop. This brought me unfettered joy. I had no idea he’d picked up on my habit of having time with God in the morning.

The next morning, Elizabeth saw Hyatt quietly writing in his journal. Later  she read, in beautiful six-year-old script, “Dear God, thank you for being the light switch when we’re being the light.”

I’m amazed at the depth and simplicity of his understanding. Do we as adults complicate things?  The innocence of a child seems to allow truth to travel unencumbered to the heart. I can learn so much from kids.

This summer, while at the beach, Hyatt had joined me on the porch and wanted to know what I was reading. I showed him from the Sermon on the Mount how Jesus told us we are the light of the world.[1] I had no idea he’d remember it. Makes me realize how important our actions are when little eyes are watching.

When we spent the night at Ben and Elizabeth’s a few days ago, I asked Hyatt if he wanted to have time with God together the next morning. He agreed enthusiastically.

Since it was the weekend, we slept in a bit and met in the den at 8:30. In our journals, we both wrote a prayer to God and discussed what we said.

Considering our life’s desire to see a Godly heritage take root and grow in our family, few moments have meant more to me than having a quiet time with Hyatt.

 Lord, sometimes I feel regret for the wrong turns I’ve made leading our family. We’ve been through the wilderness. But You’re so gracious. The sufficiency of Your love settles me. Thank you. Please continue your work in my family. Some are amid painfully, difficult battles. May Your Powerful Light dispel all darkness. May your Healing Love comfort all pains. I pray for all my brothers and sisters who desire Godly heritages to gain traction and grow in their families. Only you can change hearts.  I trust all outcomes to you.  I love You.

[1] Matthew 5:14

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

God is our Reward, The Source of all Joy

The Monkey Trap

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Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46)[1]

Troublesome monkeys have been known to be caught with a simple trap which plays on their unwillingness to open their hands. A coconut is hollowed out with a hole just big enough for the monkey’s hand to fit in. Sweet rice is placed inside. When a monkey reaches in and grabs the bait, their fist is stuck in the hole. Unwilling to open their hands and give up the prize, the monkey is trapped and eventually caught.

We can learn from their ignorant stubbornness. We’re to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. But we can be fooled into loving the good things of life above Him. God wants us to experience Him as our highest Joy. When we hold tightly to earthly idols, our hearts are trapped and limited to fleeting, temporal joys. We’re unstable and tossed into the changing seas of circumstance. But we need to know  God is at work in us to conform us into the image of His Son and to free us into the complete Joy of knowing Him as our Pearl of Great Value, worth all we have.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Romans 8:28-29)

The ‘good’ God is causing in our lives may require the violent prying away of the sweet rice we clutch in our hands. It may hurt, but it’s for our greater good. It might seem unloving, but as a parent protects a child from harm, God is at work in His children.

For Paul, he needed to learn to not depend on himself. See what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9.  For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;

What’s keeping us bound up in the monkey trap? Do we depend too much on ourselves? What are we afraid to let of go because we don’t think we’ll be okay when we do? Among other things, I’ve needed to let go of self-effort, family, success and peace as the world give it. When I value these things above God, I’m trapped. I can feel discouraged  and the flow of joy being drained from my life.

See Peter’s conclusion of this process toward the end of his life: In this (our Living Hope and Inheritance) you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which]is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (I Peter 1:6-9)

When we understand God’s greater purposes for our lives and grow in our realization of His eternal love, we’re infused with courage for the trials we face.

 Lord, please continue to show me things I’m holding onto which keep me trapped to this world. Like Peter, may I embrace the trials which chisel me more and more into Your image and reveal the utter joy of Your presence. I know You love me and have my better good in mind. I open the hands of my heart to You.  

[1] All quotes from Scripture and from the New American Standard version of the Bible (NASB)

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Christ - Our Life, God is our Reward, Treasured by God

This Moment is a Treasure

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“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45b-46 NASB)

Two years ago, my wife and I took a trip to Destin, Florida during some very hard times in our lives. It was a powerful few days to focus on each other and our relationships with God. This afforded long stretches of unhurried time pondering, listening and taking in the beauty of God’s white beaches, emerald waters and western coast sunsets. During one of these times with God, the following words began to flow from my heart to the pages of my journal, along with a tune.

            Lord, You never leave me,
            Lord, You never leave me,
            Lord, You never leave me,
            For this I know is true.

            You show me how to listen,
            You show me how to listen,
            You show me how to listen,
            To the words You want me to.

             I don’t know what will happen,
            I don’t know what will happen,
            I don’t know what will happen,
            But I know You’ll see me through.

            I just got to trust You,
            I just got to trust You,
            I just got to trust You,
            Forever me and You.

            This moment is a treasure,
            This moment is a treasure,
            This moment is a treasure,
            As You show me something new.

            I live this life now for You,
            I live this life now for You,
            I live this life now for You,
            And I love You through and through.

 As soon as the words stopped flowing, I made a video to capture the tune and sent it to my wife and two daughters.

A year later, one of my daughters, who is a musician, professionally recorded the song and gave it to me for Christmas. Priceless. It was truly one of the wonderful gifts I’ve ever received.

Recently, as I continued to enjoy the song, one of the lines took on a deeper, more intimate meaning.

“This moment is a treasure.”

God loves me more than I can ever understand. He was willing to be pierced and crushed in my place [1] that we might commune. Right now, the Creator of the universe treasures me.

But also, the Lord Himself is my Treasure. In the last couple of years, God has lovingly, but violently revealed idols that needed to be surrendered. I’m asking Him to teach me how to love Him more. He’s showing me things I value more than Him; areas in my life I need to surrender to Him for my own freedom and joy.

God doesn’t want me to settle for anything less than Him to fill my heart. He alone is my Treasure. In His presence is fullness of Joy. [2]

You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. (Psalm 4:7 NASB)

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”                   (Genesis 15:1 NIV)

In this hard road, Lord, I turn to You. You’re acquainted with grief. [3] You understand. I trust You with my life. As I look back at the last couple of years, I see that the hard times are extremely valuable. In the midst, I’m learning that you alone are my Peace, my Hope, my Joy and my Life. Nothing else will  do. I’m sorry for seeking happiness in the things you’ve given me and not in You alone.  All joys flow from my nearness and dependence upon You. Please continue Your work in me.

“I myself preached Christ some years, when I had little, if any, experimental acquaintance with access to God through Christ; until the Lord was pleased to visit me with sore affliction.” John Owen [4]

Conclusion

This moment is a treasure, no matter what I face, because God Himself, is my Treasure. He’s always with me. As I travel with Him, I can slow down and truly enjoy His creation around me. Moment by Moment.

Note: Contact me if you’d like to hear the song. It’s very moving.

 [1] Isaiah 53:5-6

[2] Psalm 16:11b

[3] Isaiah 53:3

[4] Puritan Theology, ed. Beeke and Jones, 112

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Eternal Joy, God's Nearness

With-ness – Communion with God

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The Lord your God is in your midst,  a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;   He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)

As I prepare to write on our deck, our little shih apso rescue dog yelps from our porch to join me. On Good Friday, she was found roaming the streets. We picked her up for adoption the next day and named her Lily[1]. Lily longs to be with us every second of the day. Without us, she pines with compassionate longing.

Scripture confirms that God’s desire to be with us is even more intense than Lily’s. Us communing with God is a major theme in the Bible. He created us so that we could enjoy fellowship with Him and, by doing so, bring Him glory.[2] It brings Him great pleasure to share Himself with us. So much so that He was willing to send forth His only Son to die on a Roman cross to restore our fellowship, broken by our sin.[3]

Emmanuel, God with Us, came to earth in the form of a baby, to take our sins upon His back and die in our place. To those who believe in His name and receive Him, God gives the right to become His children.[4] He wants to be with us every second of every day.

Jesus says, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23b ESV)

Not only is God all around, but He also indwells us. This inward dwelling of the Holy Spirit allows for the most intimate communion possible. The Lord is near, ready to be the strength of our lives and an ever-present source of eternal joy, surpassing even when grain and new wine abound.[5]

But sadly, we can go through an entire day detached from our life source, looking at the world to bring joy to our hearts and relying on our own feeble strength. How do we believe and appreciate God’s desire to be with us and walk in awareness of His nearness? Below are some suggestions:

  • Settle daily into the fact that God loves you with an everlasting love,[6] a love which can’t be changed by what you think, how you feel or any past, present or future choice. Walk around in His love. When lies of condemnation and shame bombard you, let them be reminders to remain in His love.
  • Understand that, in spite of your problems and difficulties, God is working for your good according to His purposes. Rather than a smooth life, He wants you to be conformed into the image of His Son Jesus.[7]
  • Be aware that your inner need for satisfaction and joy was placed in your heart when He created you.[8] In His presence is fullness of Joy.[9] As worldly trappings draw your heart, promising to fulfill you and complete you, remember the source of all joy is closer than breathe. Acknowledge His nearness and turn your heart back to Him whenever you realize you’ve wandered away.

Lord, thank you for Lily. Continue to use her to remind me that you actually delight to be with me, that I give you joy. Wow. Communing with you is sweeter than honey and more valuable than gold.[10] One day with you is better than a thousand days elsewhere.[11] When I get caught up in my day and long for comfort and painless living, please remind me that in Your presence us unconditional joy, especially when times are hard. Thank you so much for loving me this intensely and wanting to be with me.  Amen.

[1] For Easter Lily

[2] Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 1

[3] John 3:16

[4] John 1:12

[5] Psalm 4:7

[6] Jeremiah 31:3

[7] Romans 8:28-29

[8] Ecclesiastes 3:11

[9] Psalm 16:11b

[10] Psalm 119:72,103

[11] Psalm 84:10

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Trusting God's outcome

Impacting, but Leaving the Outcome to God

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If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:11 NIV)

Growing up in the south in the 60s, before pro teams moved to Atlanta, Charlotte and Florida, there were no local teams to choose from. So, as a kid, I picked the New York Yankees, Boston Celtics and Baltimore Colts. A strange geographical mix, but I’ve remained faithfully loyal through lean years and championships.

During all those years, one of my heroes has been Bobby Richardson, second baseman for the Yankees from 1955 until 1966. Winner of three world championships, five gold gloves and eight All Star appearances, he is the only player in MLB history to win the World Series MVP for the losing team. But for all his heroics on the field Bobby is most known for his influence off the field.

This summer, some friends and I met Bobby[1] at a restaurant in his hometown of Sumter, South Carolina. We’d all read his book, Impact Player, and he was gracious enough to invite us to his favorite restaurant to discuss it. We wanted to pay for his lunch, but when we discovered the restaurant didn’t take credit cards, he picked up the tab. Awkward! Bobby then invited us back to his house to meet his wife and to see his baseball memorabilia.

Bobby, and his wife Betsy, made us instantly feel as if we were long-time, close friends. He graciously signed every book, baseball, baseball card and hat we brought. He took us back to his office where we held one of Babe Ruth’s bats, as well as the one he used to hit a grand slam in the 1960 world series.

Joe, who was there with me, said his face was hurting from smiling. I could relate. I was beaming like a nine year old kid.

Bobby told us many stories about his good friend Mickey Mantle. He had a huge impact on Mantle’s life, leading him to the Lord before he died of liver cancer in 1995.

Bobby’s life exudes the presence of Christ. He was asked to speak at nine funerals of men he played with, including Mantle’s.

Just like Bobby, I want to have a Christ-like impact on the people in my life. But to do so, I must lay aside my expected outcomes.

God recently showed me how some of my actions were more about making my life better than fighting for His greater purposes.

Struggling with how my actions weren’t producing the results I expected, I cried out to Him late one night. It was a tough time.

Through our wrestling, God showed me I need to trust Him with all the outcomes.

In His Spirit, I’m to do the next right thing, but the results are up to Him.

Though it was hard to realize how much I still thought things were up to me,  I’m experiencing a growing freedom. The more I trust God’s loving ways in all situations, the more my life is marked by carefree joy.

Lord, I’m so sorry for saying and doing things only for me. I ask you to guide my every word and deed. I want to make an impact for Your glory, not for my comfort. Thank you for showing me this and caring so much about me that You wouldn’t let me settle for smooth circumstances. Your lovingkindness and Your nearness is better than life.

[1] He insisted on us calling him Bobby and not Mr. Richardson

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

God's Greater Story

Peace, Joy and Abounding Hope

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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NASB)

It’s been a battle this week to stay on higher ground. My prayer is to set my mind on things above and orient my life around God’s greater story, but lately, my heart’s been more invested in my circumstances and how my life’s going.

When this happens, I lose perspective and go into survival mode. I have little regard for others and am more concerned with how I’m doing.  I wrote the following in my journal:

As I got off work today my mood was sinking. It lingered as I dropped by Publix on the way home. The cashier, named Gage, was super joyous in his conversations. Normally, this is how I feel, but my gloominess was a stark contrast to his exuberance.

In recent years, I might have doubled down in self effort, wearing myself out trying to slay each hindrance to my happiness. But very difficult trials over the last few years have taught me that sustaining Joy can’t be found in how my life’s going. God, in His severe mercy, is peeling away my vice grip on worldly happiness and redirected my heart towards Him. Through circumstances I would have never chosen, I’m realizing my total completeness is in Christ. I can’t count on anything to controlling my feelings of well-being but Him.

My interaction with Gage reminded me that I’d lost sight of this life changing truth in the midst of day to day grind.

Asking God to recalibrate my heart. I got alone and read Romans 15 from our church’s reading plan. These words opened my eternal eyes:

  • Be about the good of others for even Christ didn’t please Himself.[1] As I hurriedly, transferred the items from my cart to the revolving rubber surface for Gage to scan them, I really had no concern for him. I wanted to be left alone in my gloominess. Gage’s kind words awakened me, revealing I was focused only on me, a joy sucking place to be.
  • Filled with all Joy and Peace, abounding in Hope in the Holy Spirit.[2] This whole incident fills me with Hope. Even when the battle before my eyes drains me and cause me to lose sight, God is with me. No matter what I face, He is my Peace, my Joy and my lasting Hope.

Lord, gloominess and difficulties cause me to long for You all the more. When I seek you in my darkness, Your splendor explodes into brilliant Peace, Joy and Hope within me. Please keep me focused on You. Thank You for sending Gage to awaken me from my stupor. May I see every event in life as an opportunity to do the next right thing, to speak Your words and serve in Your strength. May I live life fully from You and for You; all for Your glory. Amen.

[1] Romans 15:2-3

[2] Romans 15:13

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

 Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Choosing Joy, Eternal Joy, Joy in Trials

Yet will I Rejoice in the Lord (Reposted in the Moments)

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Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail  and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.  God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.  (Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV)

Wrightsville beach. One of our favorite places to get away and replenish. The warmth of the sun, the cool breeze of the coming fall, the constant rhythmic sound of the surf, the expanse of the ocean against the light blue horizon. Delightful. A small butterfly lands on my bride’s finger, a kiss from her Father in a moment when love was hidden.

For most of my life, I’ve seen problems as negative. However, I’m learning a new perspective. James tells us to, “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds in trials,”[1] but these verses, and others like it, are hard to get my heart around. Trials, hardships and problems don’t seem to correlate with joy.

In Habakkuk’s day the Lord raised up the Chaldeans, on horses swifter than leopards; horsemen bent on violence, swooping down like eagles to devour.[2] But He gave Habakkuk strength, raising him up to high places above the fray. From this place of God’s perspective, he declared his intension to rejoice in the Lord, come what may.

This is the perspective we all need in the midst of troubles we know will come. On the night before he died, Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33b NASB)

God has used some of our recent difficulties to teach me to cling so desperately to Him. In each hardship, I’m discovering more of Him. l don’t like these troubles, but I’m learning that Joy can sustain me, if I invite Him in.

On the ride to the beach we listened to a message from Graham Cooke[3] called the Language of Heaven. Cooke mentions that with every problem there are built in opportunities to experience God more fully. He says we should ask the question – What aspect of God can I realize now that I couldn’t have without this situation? He mentions that Joy always accompanies our experiences with God; the Lord is fullness Joy.[4] Cooke challenges us to begin and end each day with celebration.

I want to live my life this way, like Habakkuk, always looking to the Lord for my strength. I want to rejoice in the Lord always, even in situations which are like nightmares. I want to walk with Him on the high places of His eternal perspective, orienting my life around a story which is far more important than my pleasant circumstances.

Lord, right now I celebrate you. In the midst of very hard situations which linger, I seek You. You’re teaching me that Your love completes me. Being loved by you is my identity. You are all I need, my Peace, my Hope, my Joy. Please teach me to look at each new problem as an opportunity to be “upgraded[5]” into a deeper experience with You. I know, in Your sovereignty, You will provide “opportunities” for me to depend on You more. Please help me see all of life, especially the hard times, from Your viewpoint and trust in Your greater good for me.

 

 

 

[1] James 1:2

[2] Habakkuk 1:6-9

[3] Graham Cooke, The Language of Heaven – https://youtu.be/mi6nZA2wUqo

[4] Psalm 16:11b

[5] Word used by Graham Cooke.

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

 Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Freedom in Christ, Joy in Failure

The Joy of Complete Forgiveness

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Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. (Psalm 51:7-9 NASB)

We all have stories. Imagine yours including adultery, murder and deceit. What would it be like waking up each morning with a hidden blanket of guilt and shame to drag around your day? The coverup would require you to live separated from your heart, the wellspring of your life.[1] The flow of courage would be clogged, Dis-couragement would set in. This was David’s story before he wrote the verses above.

If we’re honest, we’ve all dealt with some level of guilt and shame involving our choices. We may not have physically committed adultery and murder, but in our pursuits of personal happiness and fulfillment we’ve chosen us over God.

What do we do? Do we try really hard to do good, hoping our deeds will tip the scale and outweigh our dirty hands? Some religions suggest this path of salvation. But trying to earn a right standing with God leads to joyless self-effort and striving. We can never become clean on our own.

But there’s really good news, “holiness is not something you achieve but something you receive.”[2]

What we can’t do, God did for us through the sacrifice of His only Son. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (II Corinthians 5:21 NASB)

But to receive forgiveness, we must believe in the timeless work of Jesus. He died on our behalf, washing us clean. “Come now and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; though they are crimson, They will be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NASB)

After committing adultery with Bathsheba, David tried to cover up his transgression by having her husband, Uriah, killed in battle. Psalm 51 is his confession. Though he lived before Jesus, David too was saved by grace, through faith. David trusted in God’s goodness and forgiveness, even in the midst of being responsible for a man’s death. David received complete forgiveness and it gave him great joy. How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is the man the Lord does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit! (Psalm 32:1-2 HCSB)

David’s life was not perfect after he wrote Psalm 51. He struggled. But what made him a man after God’s own heart was his quick confessions and repentance, walking in God’s forgiveness and Christ’s righteousness.

We can wake up each morning with no guilt and shame, because of what Christ has done for us. Pursuing holiness, we walk in the goodness and mercy of God. Leaving the past behind, we can experience the joy of complete forgiveness, continually giving glory to God for the grace He’s lavished on us, even when we fail.

Lord, this truth of complete forgiveness has alluded me. It’s easy to unconsciously think it’s still up to me. But You’ve made it clear. In You, my heart is wiped completely clean. Please continue to reveal idols of self that I might quickly confess and repent. Teach me the Joy of Your complete forgiveness.  

[1] Proverbs 4:23

[2] Jeff Shipman in a Sermon on Isaiah 1 at Columbia Crossroads Church

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading. 

 Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Experiencing God in the moments of our lives