Happy or joyful?

Is it possible to count the number of self-help books written on how to be happy? Is there anyone in the whole world that does not want to be happy? Some people think that being rich will do it, or perfect health, or a big house or car, or having their debts paid, and while those and other acquisitions might do it for a time, none of them will give deep and lasting joy.

What is the difference? Joy as described in Scripture is a full understanding and acceptance of God’s power and wisdom so that nothing and no one is a threat. Joy is a peace that passes understanding, a sense of well-being based on knowing I am totally loved and totally cared for. Yet that said, joy is so complete that I scarcely think about myself at all. It is having no cares or concerns — obviously it is difficult to describe.

Jesus promises me that amazing joy. Yet careful reading of the context shows there is a caveat . . .

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:7–11)

Joy is not about what I have or don’t have in this life. It has almost nothing to do with this world. Joy is being in the will of God through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Abiding in Christ is something like being in love. And when I am responding to Him as the One who loves me totally and unconditionally, I can ask and receive whatever I wish.

Of course, loving Jesus changes my wishes. I’m not very interested in cars and clothes or any other stuff. I want what He wants. While He meets my needs (like food, clothes and other with material possessions), He gives me the desires of His heart, like justice done in a terribly unjust world, humility, a willingness to serve others. He wants me to be like Him, and I want the same thing so I can bring His joy to the people around me.

Joy is being set free from the cares of this world. As Chambers says, I don’t have to “think out my circumstances” or be concerned about anything. He adds, “Be rightly related to God, find your joy there, and out of you will flow rivers of living water . . . live the life hid with Christ  . . . . (it) is as natural as breathing . . . .”

God has shown me that continual self-examination is a joy-killer. I can always find something in me to regret or be sad about. Focusing on my flaws kills that spontaneous, childlike delight of just being who I am and trusting my Father to make of me what He wants me to be.

“Though I have not seen him, I love him. Though I do not now see him, I believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” (1 Peter 1:8 personalized)

Happy is okay, but I’m going for the joy.

Abiding in Jesus

With only a few days left in the year, it seems a good idea to reflect on what has happened in the past twelve months. Even with my foggy memory, highlights include two children engaged, several trips to interesting places, a major effort to declutter, and sadly, the death of my mother-in-law.

Last year also meant changes in our church, changes in my own spiritual life, and much answered prayer. I can easily see the hand of God in 2011 and how He has been involved in our lives. He remains faithful to His people now, just as He has been faithful in the past.

As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer (meaning stone of help); for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. (1 Samuel 7:10–13)

“Until now the Lord has helped us,” declared Samuel. He made many mistakes in his life and ministry, but God was faithful and delivered His people from their enemies anyway. This is the same God who takes care of me.

My biggest enemy is not a horde of pagans with spears, but rather the Liar with his flaming darts. He attacks me with suggestions and innuendo, trying to turn my heart from crying out to God and trusting Him. This enemy wants me to believe that God is not at work in the lives of those on my prayer list. He also wants me to believe that I can handle life’s challenges without the help of God. He knows, as God knows, that apart from Christ, all my efforts have no eternal value.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4)

As I remember the faithfulness of God, I also remember the importance of abiding. While my faith does not force God to answer prayer, any lack of faith can block His answers. Abiding in Him keeps the channels open.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:7–11)

One of my friends often says, “It is all about obedience.” She is right. Abiding in Christ is trusting Him, but real trust cannot ignore what He says or asks of me. In the past year, as God showed me areas in my life that needed change, areas where I was not abiding, He also granted me repentance and change. As those happened, so also did He bless me with answered prayer and the fullness of joy that Jesus promises. Obedience does not “earn” these things for I cannot obey unless I abide. Rather, obedience keeps the channels open so I do not block the blessings of God with my foolishness.

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Lord God, You have helped me this past year. It has been a good year, a growing year for me and filled with blessings for my family. The challenge to abide in You becomes sweeter as the days go by. While the enemy tries to thwart my faith, You are faithful to support and build it. You are working to change my heart, soften and humble me, yet at the same time always helping me see Your great power and mercy. The past year brought trials, and many good things, but the most precious hours have been when Your grace has kept me abiding in Jesus.

Walk by faith, not by sight

My mother had this wonderful way of accepting whatever life dealt her without resentment toward the unpleasant, or gloating over providential bounty. She would say, “Well, we must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.”

I thought of her as I looked out the window this morning. On a day when tulips should be blooming, we are experiencing a whiteout blizzard. The wind blows snow almost horizontally. Even though most of winter’s huge drifts and snow piles are melted, it seems as if the season is starting all over again. Mom, do we need this? Where is spring?

My question is really asking God, but I know that if I complain about the weather, I am complaining about His sovereign rule. He knows what is best for us, even when it snows in spring or rains in winter. No matter the adversity, He is in charge and He knows what I need.

Spurgeon writes on similar lines. He says that no matter what our lot in life, those who love the Lord are blessed.

Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him. (Isaiah 3:10–11)

Part of His blessing is the ability to be thankful and regardless of the weather, I have much to be thankful for. I am well fed, and even if not, as a believer in Jesus, I can feast on the wonders of who He is and what He has done. He has given me the Bread of life.

I have a closet full of clothes, but even if all were mere rags, I wear the imputed righteousness of Christ, a spiritual robe that covers my sin. He also calls these the garments of praise, and when I praise God, my heart is filled with joy.

We live in a nice home, but better than that, we are ‘in Christ’ where our security is not just for now, but for eternity. Jesus says this of those who abide or live in Him:

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:7–11)

This means that He blesses with answered prayer, a fruitful life, the assurance of His love and fullness of joy! How much more could I want?

Relationships and marriage are wonderful, yet the Bible says I am united to Christ in a bond that even death cannot break. My intimacy with Him is like no other friendship. Not only that, He provides for me, guides me, and protects me from anything that would harm me. He also filters life’s events and uses “all things for my good” that I might become more like Him. This is blessing beyond all earthly delights.

It is well with the righteous because of divine authority; He says so. His mouth speaks these comforting assurances in trials and daily circumstances. A snowstorm or worse might tell me life is a disaster, but I praise God for faith. He enables me to believe Him, even when all else seems to contradict Him. The Word says the righteous are blessed at all times. Therefore, even when I cannot see it or feel it, I am blessed.

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Oh Father, Your divine authority gives me more confidence than my eyes and feelings and certainly more than the good things in life. What You say is truth that goes beyond my understanding. When life seems perplexing, You are still in control. As I wait on You, I’m always surprised and delighted when You reveal even a small part of Your plan. Whom You bless is blessed indeed because You have proven to me over and over that what You say is always more certain than what I see.