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“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
A few years ago I happened to glance at a book a fellow airline passenger was reading -- a book about finding happiness and joy. It made me think of all the wrong ways I had sought for happiness in the past – through pursuing pleasure, possessions or status. I had some high ideals but it was mostly self-gratification. The only happiness I found was shallow and fleeting.
What God offers is something much greater. Happiness depends on what “happens” to us. Joy is a blessing from God and does not depend on our circumstances. We can experience Christian joy despite our difficulties. This is because it is not our joy but rather Christ’s: “I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” (John 17:13)
How can we have the “full measure” of Christ’s joy within us? The Scriptures tell us there are three primary ways – through the sacrifice of Jesus, the presence of Jesus and the love of Jesus. As we learn the ways of receiving the blessing of joy, we will build a storehouse within us that we can draw from when we are facing difficult challenges. The greater the reservoir of joy, the more we can withstand difficulties with the peaceful confidence that God is in charge and will see us through.
The source of joy is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. There Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and received the punishment to bring us wholeness. As we offer Jesus our failures and our suffering, He forgives and heals us. He reconciles us to His Father so we may share in all the blessings of His kingdom. Joy is part of the kingdom of God: “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)
If we deny our weaknesses and suffering and refuse to offer them to Jesus, we will not experience the fullness of His joy. When Jesus was facing death, He offered His suffering to His Father. (Matthew 26:38-39) Perhaps this is what enabled Jesus to be confident of the joy that lay ahead. “For he himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame because of the joy he knew would follow his suffering.” (Hebrews 12:2 Phillips translation)
Joy also comes from the indwelling presence of Jesus. Perhaps we can learn something from the disciples who had gathered in the upper room after the crucifixion of Jesus. They were filled with fear and doubts. Jesus appeared to them even though they had shut the door. So often we shut the door to our hearts through our anxieties and doubts and we are kept from enjoying the presence of Jesus. We may need to pay attention to our negative thoughts so that we don’t close the door to Jesus. To His disciples, Jesus said, “Why are you troubled and why do doubts rise in your minds?” ”Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:38,36, 41) And they were filled with joy.
How much time do we spend in solitude, in silence or in prayer -- simply enjoying the presence of Jesus? Throughout our lifetime Jesus will always be calling us to draw closer to Him and to more fully receive Him. Jesus dwelling within us is closer to us than our hands or feet, even our breathing or heartbeat. This intimacy is so important that Jesus prayed to His Father, “I have given them the glory you gave me – the glorious unity of being one, as we are – I in them and you in me . . . that they will be filled with my joy.” (John 17:22-23, 13)
In addition to receiving His presence, the love of Jesus also brings joy. The secret to enjoying the fullness of Christ’s joy is to believe fully that we are worthy of His love. Too many of us feel we need to earn His love, and our many failures make us feel unworthy. And most of us, even if we feel worthy, do not take the time to quietly receive His love. The doors of our hearts are closed because we are too busy or lazy. Jesus appeals to us,
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love. When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow!” John 15:9-11 LB
The most wonderful thing about Christ’s love is that our joy is multiplied when we give love away. There are many ways we can offer it – through kindly deeds or through affirming the goodness in others. Especially when we speak about our loving gratitude (for others and for God), our expressions of love are mysteriously transformed and multiplied and returned to us as joy.
“Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy.” I Peter 1:8
God has already given His very best for us. It has already been accomplished! Joy is there for the receiving!
“Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. . . you will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16: 9,11 NKJV
Why do you think Jesus connected obedience with joy?
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love. When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow!” John 15:9-11 LB
Suggestion for Prayer-Listening
Lord Jesus, what could I be doing to experience more of your joy?
Suggestion for Meditation
Recall an event in your past that gave you great joy. In your imagination, return to that time, savor it and give praise to God for His goodness.
Hold your feeling of praise and allow your feeling of joy to increase.
I have discovered that to experience Christ’s joy, I must first believe in His love for me and be open to receiving His peace. This means I must make sure to offer Him my disappointments or suffering and any negative feelings. Only then am I open to His love and peace that become the foundation for my hope and joy. Christian hope can be defined as the confident assurance of the future blessings of God. With Christ’s love and peace dwelling in my heart and with confidence in His blessings to come, His joy grows within me!