Don’t Forget His Joy

A few weeks ago Christian friends were talking about having fun. One of them remarked that God gives pleasure. Since then, I’ve thought about the pleasures of life. Most them are definitely from God:

Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit. (Jeremiah 31:2–5)

Joy in the Lord is not the same as the joy that the world gives. Jeremiah is talking about “grace in the wilderness” and hope for the enjoyments to come in the future. This joy does not depend on circumstances. It is that deep understanding that He is blessing me and that my eternal future is secured. It is also a gift from the Holy Spirit that wells up even during trials, based on knowing God is good and has good results in mind.

This joy can change even the dullest of days into worship and thanksgiving, without externals at its foundation. Simple things bring a smile, like looking out my window this morning and seeing a bunny rabbit sitting within five feet of me, or watching the sky turn bright as the sun comes up. Yesterday was joyful with a gathering of people all from all over the world. It was joyful watching an episode of the Postables who rescued a farm family when all seemed lost, fiction but so like God. Each ordinary event becomes delightful as the Spirit helps me see my Lord graciously making it a pleasure.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

This does not mean all the bad stuff fades into nothing. My heart still feels the horror and heaviness it did when researching how many homeless children suffer without love, or how some children occupy our local children’s hospital and their parents never visit them. I cannot watch the news when it shows bombings and rubble, or tells of senseless accidents and deaths.

Yet He still gives joy, in sunrises and rabbits, in the affection of those who greet me with a hug, in the delight of color, and grass turning green from dead brown, in getting on the scales to find I’m two pounds less than yesterday. Little things — and a very incredible God. Because of His love and grace, I can relate to these words from King David:

I asked life of you; you gave it to me, length of days forever and ever. Your glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on me. For you make me most blessed forever; you make me glad with the joy of your presence. For I trust in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High I shall not be moved. (Psalm 21:4–7, personalized)

PRAY: Jesus, there are days when the bad news or tough aspects of life overwhelm me and that sense of joy hides in the mess. Yet it never really goes away. It is my retreat at fault not Yours. Instead of letting You fill me with delight, I let life fill me with despair. Forgive me for doing that, for forgetting the wonder of life with You instead of being thankful and dancing for joy because of all that You are and all that You do. Truly Your glory is great. Amen.