Where Joy and Sorrow Meet
Introduction
Longfellow: Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend.
We rejoice in the faces of old friends we see today, and we are grateful to meet new friends as well. We are sorrowful at the faces who are no longer here, many now with the Lord.
Our experience in the Christian Journey is that it is one of Joy and Sorrow. We do not expect that all troubles will be removed. We do expect that as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us all along the way. The many encouragements of the NT to never give up remind us that every one of us fights a constant battle of our own commitment and faithfulness to the Lord.
Henri Nouwen: “Joy is hidden in sorrow and sorrow in joy. If we try to avoid sorrow at all costs, we may never taste joy, and if we are suspicious of ecstasy, agony can never reach us either. Joy and sorrow are the parents of our spiritual growth.”
The Christian life is a journey of both sorrow and joy.
1. A JOURNEY OF SORROW
Sorrow of losses.
Psalm 103:15-16 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Knowing this truth may not make it any easier or hurt any lesser, but it does remind us that all of us are only here for a brief moment in time.
Sorrow over our Sin. In our day, nothing is wrong, there are no boundaries, no sins, but in Scripture we read these words of King David - a great man after God’s own heart, but still had his struggles.
Psalm 51:2-3 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Our sin affects not only ourselves, but all of those around us - and the destructive power of our Enemy uses our sin to bring about more pain and hurt.
1 Peter 2:11 I urge you … to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Sorrow over the trials and hardships we face.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…
Whether relationships, economics, or religion - we all face difficulties and struggles in life.
Job 14:1 “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.
The Christian life is not only a journey of sorrow.
2. A JOURNEY OF JOY
The Joy of Finding God
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
The Joy of Baptism
Acts 8:36-40 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water…the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
The Joy of Release
Psalm 51:10, 12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. …Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
The Joy of Heaven
Revelation 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (G.K. Chesterton believed this joy is “the gigantic secret of the Christian.”)
The Joy of Sharing
Psalm 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
The Joy of Family
Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. (Never give up!)
Galatians 5:6 …The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
3. WHERE JOY AND SORROW MEET
The Christian journey is one of joy and sorrow, struggle and hope, brokenness and healing.
To his people in exile, God promised through Isaiah:
Isaiah 51:11 Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown
their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
This gives us hope and encouragement through the rough times we experience.
David James White wrote a beautiful song called "Where Joy And Sorrow Meet”
There is a place where hope remains,
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus' feet,
Where joy and sorrow meet
Conclusion
If you have been hurting due to loss, sin, or struggles - please know that God is near. He doesn’t promise to
remove all of your troubles, He does promise to walk through them with you.
If you feel far from God, please know that the joy of following Jesus is available to you.
- Turn away from sin and toward God!
- In Faith respond to the Good News by being baptized
- Experience Forgiveness, a Father, Forever home, and a Forever Family.
Longfellow: Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend. And Jesus is the best of friends.
Joy and sorrow meet at the feet of Jesus. Let us bow before Him today.
