Joy
Written By: Sarah Gordon
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart, prepare Him room…
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart, prepare Him room…
Are we rightly prepared? Is our heart capable of becoming God’s dwelling place?
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
In other words, is there room at the Inn? Have we left room in our hearts for the joy of Jesus during this Advent season? Are we capable of experiencing the joy of receiving our King?
We are tired. We are worried and afraid. We are stressed out. 2020 has been A LOT.
We are tired. We are worried and afraid. We are stressed out. 2020 has been A LOT.
We have been through a world-wide collective trauma that is ongoing and it’s been rough. People are sick and dying, separated from loved ones, upset by the division and stress of the political season and civil, racial and spiritual unrest, under-employed or unemployed, or overworked and going bonkers trying to balance the kids, work, school and staying sane. All of this is still happening during the holidays when we had hoped this would all be over. Life is hard right now.
It is easy to lose our joy.
According to Galatians 5, joy is a fruit of the Spirit. When we abide in Christ and give Him free reign in our hearts- we experience joy, no matter what is happening around us. In scripture, we do not see joy tied to happy circumstances or things being “right” in the world.
It is easy to lose our joy.
According to Galatians 5, joy is a fruit of the Spirit. When we abide in Christ and give Him free reign in our hearts- we experience joy, no matter what is happening around us. In scripture, we do not see joy tied to happy circumstances or things being “right” in the world.
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy!
Psalm 126:5
Psalm 126:5
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have it’s full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy. Thanks, James, that is quite an ask these days. Jesus, help!
The truth is, joy has little to do with our external circumstances. However, this is not a truth that our culture and society embrace. The world tells us that we define our joy through what we gain- success, achievement, wealth, health, the American dream- all of that is supposed to create shiny happiness. Worldly happiness is not Biblical joy. Biblical joy rises above our circumstances and often manifests during or just after trials and suffering. We do not deny our feelings when something is wrong in the world. We don’t pretend that everything is okay, we don’t pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and put on a shiny happy face to perform and call that “joy.” Instead we press in to Jesus. That is where we find our joy. Biblical joy is grounded in truth found when we abide in God. Many of the most joyful people we encounter in the world are very well acquainted with sorrow. Jesus was one of them.
The truth is, joy has little to do with our external circumstances. However, this is not a truth that our culture and society embrace. The world tells us that we define our joy through what we gain- success, achievement, wealth, health, the American dream- all of that is supposed to create shiny happiness. Worldly happiness is not Biblical joy. Biblical joy rises above our circumstances and often manifests during or just after trials and suffering. We do not deny our feelings when something is wrong in the world. We don’t pretend that everything is okay, we don’t pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and put on a shiny happy face to perform and call that “joy.” Instead we press in to Jesus. That is where we find our joy. Biblical joy is grounded in truth found when we abide in God. Many of the most joyful people we encounter in the world are very well acquainted with sorrow. Jesus was one of them.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:3
Isaiah 53:3
Our joy can be stolen by many things that can worm their way into our hearts, including, but not limited to, the lies that the enemy tells us to distract us and keep us spinning in our hearts and minds. He attacks us with fear, anxiety, worry and the cares of this world. It is easy to become absorbed with self. Self-loathing, self-protection, self-hatred, pride, and greed. We give in to anger, resentment, unforgiveness and dishonor. We revel in comparison, slander and gossip. We cease to recognize our idolatry. All of these things are sin that steals our joy.
Thank You, Lord, that Your lovingkindness leads us to repentance and to freedom. We need to check ourselves, often and for our own sakes. We need to come before the Lord and say:
Thank You, Lord, that Your lovingkindness leads us to repentance and to freedom. We need to check ourselves, often and for our own sakes. We need to come before the Lord and say:
Search me, O God and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way
Psalm 139: 23-24
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way
Psalm 139: 23-24
When we don’t live in a posture of humility, where we are constantly surrendering, repenting and letting go of our idols and control- when we cling to what we think we know, we leave no room in our hearts for Jesus or His joy. We live distracted, independent, proud and busy and then get frustrated and offended when we don’t get breakthrough or hear from the Lord. We become full of angst instead of joy and we wonder where He is.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
Psalm 37:4
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is the fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
Psalm 16:11
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking; but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17
Romans 14:17
Our joy is Him. Yes, our joy is in Him, but really, our joy is the person of Jesus. He is our joy and He is our strength. In His presence we find the fullness of joy. We delight in Him! We seek His face, not His hand! We seek to know Him for who He is, as opposed to what He can do for us. As we do that, we receive revelation of the unspeakable joy we find in Christ deep in our knowers.
Oh, yes. We need to repent of all the nasty stuff trying to take over our hearts. We ask to be forgiven and rest in Him, rejoicing that He works all things together for our good. We can rejoice that He never leaves or forsakes us, even when we are a hot mess! He loves us no matter what! We do not have to perform! We don’t have to earn His love! Praise You, Jesus! Thank You for all that You’ve done and all that You do! For all that You are!
Oh, yes. We need to repent of all the nasty stuff trying to take over our hearts. We ask to be forgiven and rest in Him, rejoicing that He works all things together for our good. We can rejoice that He never leaves or forsakes us, even when we are a hot mess! He loves us no matter what! We do not have to perform! We don’t have to earn His love! Praise You, Jesus! Thank You for all that You’ve done and all that You do! For all that You are!
Joy is rooted and grounded in worship and thanksgiving. Have you noticed that?
Worship! Give thanks! Remember His goodness and faithfulness! Speak, sing, or write it out. Testify! When we fix our eyes on Him, when we trust that He is Lord, when we submit to His Sovereignty and Kingdom reign, the joy of the Lord becomes manifest in us! It is a work of the Holy Spirit. What a relief! We don’t have to strive to find it. We don’t have to work ourselves up into a state of joy. We have joy because JESUS. We are strong in His joy because He is our joy.
Hallelujah!
Worship! Give thanks! Remember His goodness and faithfulness! Speak, sing, or write it out. Testify! When we fix our eyes on Him, when we trust that He is Lord, when we submit to His Sovereignty and Kingdom reign, the joy of the Lord becomes manifest in us! It is a work of the Holy Spirit. What a relief! We don’t have to strive to find it. We don’t have to work ourselves up into a state of joy. We have joy because JESUS. We are strong in His joy because He is our joy.
Hallelujah!
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
Luke 2:10-11
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah 8:10
The deep abiding joy of the Lord is not only our strength, but can be strength for those around us. This is not an obnoxious, in-your-face, manic, false joy. We are not those who would be shiny-happy in the face of true pain and distress happening around us. We are not a fake-it-until-you-make-it people. We don’t need to be. We are rooted and grounded in the deep joy that is Christ. Joy is a light that shines through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we walk in this joy, the light of God shines within us and people are drawn to Him. As we continue to celebrate Advent- let us seek the face of God, delight in His presence and rejoice as we embrace God and others as they are drawn to the light.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9
1 Peter 1:8-9