God’s joy is our strength and even more…

Last night, Christian friends came for supper, friends whose lives are transparent and joyful and who understand the deeper things of God. They came from much persecution to this country and now work with homeless and often dangerous people. Their joy is infectious and time with them fills us with the same joy. The Spirit does that, even as the trials and problems remain. Paul wrote this:

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:1–10)

Amazing that all we would call discomfort and persecution did not ruin the power of God to fill him with and his coworkers with praise, honor, a good reputation and ministry, and even rejoicing. This is a deeper truth.

I’ve noticed how often today’s church-goers pray for removal of such things as affliction, hardship, sleepless nights and so on. Paul knew (and our friends know) that the Holy Spirit can give joy even in those situations. That is our victory. Being filled with His power. Nothing may get “fixed” but the sense of well-being and joy is fully ours.

As I write this, my emotions are those that come with faith. The devotional writer says not to rely on or depend on our emotions, but for me, I do rely on joy to tell me something. I’ve learned that if joy is not there, it means the Spirit is not filling me — and when that happens, I’m filled with some selfish idea or depending on myself rather than the Lord. He is often quick to show me what I need to confess. Doing things my way always blocks God’s way and when it does, the joy of the Lord fades into the background.

This joy isn’t about circumstances. Nothing that is difficult or sends me to my knees in prayer has changed. The unbelief of some that are close family member or friends has not changed. The world is still in a mess. But God’s joy is not about all things being right; it is about me being right with God.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, time with others who understand the power of Your Spirit to give joy even in trials is edifying and we are so grateful for the transparency and love that flows out of their lives and out of ours back to them. This kind of fellowship is rare and precious and such a great blessing. Thank You for these friends and for Your joy that not only is our strength, but also binds us together with those who realize the same wonder of Your grace and goodness to us. You care for us, no matter what.