“Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9b
A Call to Courage
Paul is being transported to Rome to appeal to Caesar. Though his life is in danger, his focus is on testifying about Jesus. All his energy is poured into making disciples, not on his own welfare; a trend of his life and a reason for his joy.
In Acts 27, he warns his centurion guard that sailing from Fair Havens would be at risk of damage and great loss. But he’s ignored. Before long, a fierce northeastern wind batters the ship and forces cargo and tackle to be tossed overboard.
Sun and stars are hidden for many days. Hope of being saved is abandoned.
But Paul, by way of a messenger from the Lord, has a Godly perspective. He calls them to “keep up your courage“[1] – euthymein (put in good spirits, gladden, make cheerful, to be joyful)
There’s reason to hope beyond the present troubles.
Our Storms
What storms are you facing in these uncertain days? in what area(s) has there been no sun or stars for many days?
Death
Health
Money deficits
Time deficits
Broken relationships
Broken stuff
Employment problems
Addictions
What has you dis-couraged?
Our Courage
What can put us in good spirits? What gladdens our hearts and causes us to be cheerful and joyful in spite of dark, lingering storms? Like Paul, don’t we have insight into something beyond what we see? We know how our story ends. Light beckons to to us out of the darkness, assuring us that our storm is not a surprise to God.
God is at work in us to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. [2] He wants us free from the bondages of the world and filled with the joy of His nearness. When storms press in, we’re invited to pursue our Pearl of Great Price with ever more vigor, putting off cheep counterfeits which only deepen the pain.
“You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound.” Psalm 4:7
Prayer
Lord, we cry out to You in the midst.
Cheer our hearts with Your Nearness. Gladden our souls in the hope of Your loving, purposeful ways.
Infuse us with courage.
We surrender everything and everyone to You.
We surrender ourselves to You.
Though the skies may be dark, gladden our spirits.
Thank you Lord.
Amen.
[1] Acts 27:22
[2] Romans 8:29
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. (Psalm 121:5 NASB)
God Our Keeper
Through the Prophet Isaiah, at the end of chapter 26, God calls his people to enter their rooms and hide for a while until indignation runs its course. He speaks of a time when He will come out of from his place.
“In that day, a vineyard of wine, sing of it! I, the Lord, am its keeper, every moment I water it. Lest anyone damage it, I keep it night and day.” (Isaiah 27:2-3 NASB)
Commentators agree the vineyard is His church.
God My Keeper
On our deck is a cross with the word “Keeper” burned into the wood. The Hebrew word from the verse in Isaiah translated “Keeper” means to watch over, to guard, to be blockaded and hidden from danger, to be kept close.
The Lord is near.
In John 7, Jesus invites us to come to Him and satisfy our thirst. He speaks of Rivers of Living Water flowing from within us, satisfying our deepest longings. Every moment we’re guarded and watered.
When we Feel Unprotected
When evil comes our way, it’s easy for us to feel unprotected. But nothing surprises the Lord. He’s entrusted us with every circumstance to be seen as opportunities to press into His presence and depend upon His strength. According to Romans 8:28-29, God is working in every situation for His eternal purposes.
Paul writes that God’s purpose, for those He foreknew and predestined, is to be conformed into the image of His Son Jesus Christ.[1] By His Holy Spirit working[2], Christ is to be formed within us.[3]
There’s a greater story going on and a higher purpose than just smooth circumstances
Much can be accomplished in suffering. Hebrews tells us that even the Son of God learned obedience from the things He suffered.[4] In His sovereignty, God is able to use evil for His higher purposes.
As Joseph told his brothers when they were afraid of his vengeance after Jacob died, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place?As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”[5]
Paul tells us to orient our lives from above where we’ve been raised with Christ, not on earthly things.[6] We know how our story ends. Even when troubles and sufferings come our way, our journey home is secure and sure.
Prayer
Lord, You are my Keeper. You’re watering and refreshing me with the Joy of Your nearness.
You keep me close and guard me against anything contrary to Your greater plan for me.
You’ve called me to abide, to remain, to stay where You have placed me – in Christ Jesus.
Help me to trust You when time pressures threaten my peace and circumstances hide Your great love for me.
You and You alone are my Great Reward, my Pearl of Great Price, my Keeper, the Guarder of my soul.
May I dwell in the beauty of your sanctuary all the days of my life. Amen.
Embracing God’s greater story frees us from the arduous task of trying to keep our circumstances happy. Paul calls us to orient our lives around things above[1] and to set our affections on God’s greater purpose of summing up all things in Christ.[2] God doesn’t want to just rescue us from hell. He desires to make us whole by leading us to find our completeness in Christ alone.[3]
God wants far more for us than happy circumstances. He doesn’t want our feelings of well-being to be anchored to something we can lose. As my friend Dave Andes says, “I can assure you, God is not committed to your comfort.”
But giving up the idol of a happy life in exchange for a life built on God’s eternal purposes isn’t easy, especially when we’re in the midst of life’s pains.
Enduring Life’s Pains
I have a friend who’s been through a host of medical problems. They’ve been through a procedure which left them with an irritating, painful reminder of their difficulties. Sometimes the symptoms can cause isolation and loneliness. They’re trying to fight, but sometimes the pain is overwhelmingly discouraging. Physical and emotional pain can rule the day. And who can blame them?
My friend’s situation is only one of countless examples of life not turning out as we’ve planned. The older we get, the more we realize certain aspects of our lives just aren’t going to turn out like we thought they would. Is anyone immune to the disappointments of life’s circumstances?
Chronic disease, separation from loved ones, divorce, lost jobs, financial disasters, loss of property, death. These unwelcomed “guests” spring upon us and threaten to capture our hearts. How do we prepare for such pain? How do we keep our disappointments from turning into daily discouragements?
God, Are You Listening?
As long as we think our welfare is tied to our circumstances, our pain can drive us away from God, making matters far worse than any temporal difficulty.
In Psalm 73, Asaph was going through a pity party. Focused on his circumstances, he was bitter. He saw folks, he considered wicked, having good times. They prospered, eat all they wanted and lived lives free of trouble. It just wasn’t fair. Asaph had tried to live a good life, but it seemed that was in vain. Was God even noticing his efforts? Was He listening to his cries? If God cared about him, surely his life would have turned out better.
The Better Life
Then Asaph came into the sanctuary of God.[4] He entered the Lord’s presence. When he did, he was given a glimpse of God’s greater story. His heart was changed. He realized a better life is not about his circumstances, but about the nearness of God.
After this eternal gaze, Asaph wrote to God, Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With your council You will guide me, And afterwards receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:23-24 NASB)
‘Nevertheless’ is such a great word. All of our pains and disappointments can be swallowed up in the totality of this word. Regardless of it all, right now, we’re okay because God is with us. He takes hold of our right hand and leads us moment by moment. And when our temporal story is done, He receives us into His glory.
Eternal Shift
Asaph may have needed to be reminded of God’s eternal work on his soul again the very next day. I know I need continual reminders. The temporal world is real. It’s where we feel. Just because there’s a greater story going on, doesn’t mean the here and now is less real.
Read carefully Asaph’s conclusions and mark them in your soul. Come back to them often. Live in these truths.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth (Psalm 73:25 NASB).
But as far me, the nearness of God is my good (Psalm 73:28 NASB);
Asaph came to the realization that nothing in heaven or on earth could complete him but God. Being with God became his good, his better life.
Walking in this truth, exposes the lie that we need anything but the Lord to be okay. Even in the midst of life’s disappointments, I can stay committed to something far greater than my own comfort.
Don’t Miss the Blessings
Concerning my friend who was shallowed up in pain, I’ll quote, by permission, a challenge issued to them by another friend.
“If you read the Bible it’s full of people suffering. God never promised a life free of suffering, but He did promise He’ll be there though our suffering. Our choice is to accept this or not. Remember, we’re not in heaven yet. Don’t let the pain cause you to miss the blessings which are all around you.”
Challenge
Think about a circumstance in your life which has caused you great pain. There may be some choices yet in your control concerning the situation. Make the next right choice.
But, even if this pain never ends, nevertheless, you’re okay because God is near, an Ever Present Help in times of trouble.[5]
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
(Refrain from the Hymn Turn your eyes upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel 1922)
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 a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
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