All of us desire to have joy in our lives. No matter what we call it – happiness, gladness, delight, good cheer – we would all like to experience more of it. As we are reminded on this Independence Day, the quest for joy is even enshrined in our Declaration of Independence as a God-given right: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". But unfortunately, the realities of living in this world often bring that quest to a grinding halt. Life seems to regularly throw up roadblocks on the highway to happiness, roadblocks named "suffering" and "sorrow" and "disappointment". Occasionally, we do catch glimpses of joy –celebrating a wedding or a wedding anniversary; bringing a baby home from the hospital; receiving a long-awaited promotion. And from time to time, we find joy in little things as well, the kinds of experiences that show up in Hallmark commercials – watching a son or daughter perform in a school play; sitting by the fire on a cold winter night drinking hot chocolate; spending a quiet Saturday morning puttering in the garden; taking a walk in the woods. Hopefully, you find joy in worship as well – coming here to sing praises to God; to hear His Word, to listen to His voice; to be with other people who love the Lord and who love you as well, in their imperfect, yet genuine, way.
But for many, those brief encounters with joy seem to be the exception, rather than the rule. Instead of feeling hopeful and positive most of the time, you find yourself lapsing regularly into joylessness. Anything from extreme depression and despair, to bitterness and cynicism, to just a general feeling of malaise and discontentment, where nothing seems terribly bad or terribly good. When you’re in this place, as Marie Antoinette once said, "nothing tastes". Perhaps you sense that this isn’t the way things are supposed to be for a Christian, but you’re not sure what to do about it, or even if there’s anything you can do about it.
Well, I have good news for you. You’re right. That isn’t the way God intends for his children to live. Persistent gloominess is not fitting for a Christian. Yes, all of us are visited by dark moods; all of us struggle occasionally with feelings of discouragement and despondency. But we should regard those as the exception, not the norm. Something to seek relief from; something to work through. But too many people have it exactly backwards – viewing joy as something rare and unusual, while viewing its opposite as the norm. We’re almost afraid to hope that things could be any different, afraid of being disappointed. And that’s a problem. My concern this morning is that we not settle for a sub-par Christianity, but that we seek after, and receive, all that the Lord has for us in Christ. Listen as we read these passages, and see if you don’t agree with me that God desires his people to experience joy and gladness as a way of life.
"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." – Psalm 5:11
"Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!"
– Psalm 32:11
"I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices . . . You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
– Psalm 16:8-11
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." – John 10:10b, NASB
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." – Romans 15:13
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" – Philippians 4:4
"Be joyful always." – 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Now, to some folks, this doesn’t sound like good news, it sounds like condemnation. Not only do they feel bad, but after reading these verses, they feel condemned for feeling bad! But it is good news. It’s great news, terrific news, wonderful news. Why? Because joy is a tremendous blessing, and whatever God desires us to have, He also provides. Joy doesn’t come from us, it comes from the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t expect us to manufacture joy by our own power; He doesn’t demand that we somehow force ourselves to feel joyful. We couldn’t if we tried. What He wants us to do is simply receive His joy. Yes, it does take discipline and work. Knowing God and experiencing his blessings always requires commitment and devotion. But we must keep in mind that what we’re disciplining ourselves to do is to receive; to receive what God has made available to us, what He freely offers us in Christ.
How we go about doing that I’ll speak to in a minute. But first I want to address another issue. One of the main reasons that people fail to experience joy is that they’re looking for it in the wrong place. They’re looking to circumstances to bring them joy. Good health. Supportive relationships. Career achievement. Financial security. Safety and Security. But that just doesn’t work. Why? Because there’s always a fly in the ointment. There’s always something missing, something lacking. Princess Diana found that out. Her beauty, and her wealth, and her popularity didn’t bring her joy, only heartache. None of us has the power to insulate ourselves from the pain of living in this fallen world. Eventually, and probably sooner than later, something will break the bubble, something will puncture the perfect life we’ve labored so long and hard to construct. And then we will find that the joy derived from circumstances is short-lived and ultimately unsatisfying. Any strategy which depends on pleasant circumstances will fail, because it offers nothing to people who are trying to find joy in the midst of their normal, everyday lives, much less to those who are in the midst of struggle or suffering. In other words, if your plan for finding joy is to be rich, healthy, successful, and beloved; if your goal is to have a pain-free, trouble-free life, then get ready for lots of disappointment.
Again, that may sound like bad news. But in fact, it’s good news. Because the sooner we abandon that failed strategy, the sooner we can find the kind of joy that transcends circumstance, the kind of joy that cannot be destroyed by disappointment, or loss, or failure, or pain, or sorrow. The kind of joy that can survive a critical, complaining wife or a selfish, unloving husband. The kind of joy that persists when health fails and friends betray. The kind of joy that remains undiminished when dreams collapse and careers languish. In short, the kind of joy that can survive anything life can dish out. Listen to what Paul writes in Second Corinthians chapter 6:
"We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." – 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
If you really pay attention to what Paul is saying, it is simply astounding. This paragraph is a virtual catalogue of all the kinds of suffering one could experience. Poverty. Hunger. Backbreaking labor. Imprisonment. Loss of reputation. Rejection. Betrayal. Danger from murderous enemies. Sorrow. And yet, what is his state of mind? "Always rejoicing." If there is any clearer statement in the Scriptures to show that joy does not derive from circumstances, I don’t know where it is.
A solid, lasting joy doesn’t come from circumstances. Now, I need to qualify that a bit. Sometimes God brings us joy through our circumstances. Paul writes frequently about the joy he receives from seeing his children in the faith grow spiritually. But the key is to realize that the joy comes from knowing and trusting in God; the joy comes from seeing God provide for our needs, rather than coming from the circumstances themselves. And so, if the circumstances change for the worse, it doesn’t matter. Because our joy wasn’t in the gift anyway; it was in the giver. Joy comes from knowing God and trusting in His care for us. It comes from knowing, and trusting, in His promises.
Last week, I spoke about the promises of God concerning the life to come. Things like freedom from pain and sorrow; a new body that won’t ever get sick or grow old; and perfect fellowship with one another and with Christ, unmarred by sin. Riches and pleasures beyond imagination. As Jesus said, "what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" Absolutely nothing. Because what he has prepared for us is far greater than all the wealth, and power, and pleasure in this world. As Paul writes in First Corinthians,
". . . ’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’" – 1 Corinthians 2:9
Reflecting upon the promises of God concerning our eternal destiny can be a great source of joy,
and a great encouragement to faith and perseverance and obedience. But there’s more to the Christian life than just waiting to die. God has made many wonderful promises to us that are in effect right now, promises that we can believe, and trust, and rely upon for our present benefit. Promises of protection and provision. Promises of support, and strength, and encouragement. Promises to supply all our needs and to care for us as his own precious, beloved children.
In a moment, I’m going to review some of those promises. But before I do that, I want to get real practical. You’re probably going to forget most of what I say today. First, you’ll forget the verse references, and after a while, you’ll have a hard time recalling even the main idea of the sermon. That’s just the way the human mind works. In order to remember, you need to take notes, or review the sermons on our web site, or pick up one of the booklets from the book table. In the same way, you will tend to forget God’s promises. When you’re reading the Scriptures, you may come across a great promise, one that really hits home with you. But moments after you close the Bible, you’ve forgotten it. You’ve forgotten where it’s located. And then, later when you need that specific promise, it’s nowhere to be found. So here’s a suggestion. Find some way of marking and recalling the promises of God. This is important. Underline them in your Bible. Write them down in a small notebook. Print them on 3x5 cards. Whatever. But find a way that works for you so that you can locate them when you need them, and the Holy Spirit can use them in your life, to strengthen your faith and give you joy.
Here’s another suggestion, to help you apply God’s promises to yourself, to help you remember and rely upon them. Rephrase them to make them personal. For example, if you’re feeling fearful, take this promise from Isaiah 41:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." – Isaiah 41:10
Then imagine God speaking it to you personally, like this: "Alan, do not fear, for I am with you." This exercise helps you to remember that the Bible isn’t just letters on a page; it’s the "sword of the Spirit" – it’s your defense against temptation; it’s what God uses in your life to comfort, and encourage, and rebuke, and correct; to bring you to maturity in Christ. It’s not just a book; it’s God’s Word to you.
One more suggestion. Memorize key promises. For example, perhaps you struggle with anxiety over your finances. Then memorize the words of Christ in Matthew 6:31-33, "So do not worry, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
And then, whenever you need to, you can quote this verse and claim it. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you will always have the ammunition you need to ward off anxiety. God will take care of your needs for food, and clothing, and shelter. He hasn’t left you to your own devices. He has taken personal responsibility for your physical welfare. You may be unemployed and uncertain about your ability to find another job; it doesn’t matter. God has promised to provide for your needs. And you can bring that fact to mind at any time if you have memorized Matthew 6:31-33.
Similarly, we read this promise in Matthew 7:
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
– Matthew 7:9-11
Or how about the times when you’d like to say something about Christ; you sense an opportunity, but you’re concerned about the response – about whether your words will have any effect. Why take the risk of ridicule, or rejection, or indifference, when it all may be for naught anyway? Because God has promised to make his word fruitful:
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." – Isaiah 55:10-11
God’s word will accomplish His purposes. The issue is not our skill or cleverness, but His power.
Perhaps you’re struggling with some illness or physical weakness. Then you can turn to Second Corinthians 12 and read this promise:
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
– 2 Corinthians 12:9
In this case, joy comes not from the assurance of being healed, but from the knowledge that God’s power is active in and through our lives, even when we feel inadequate. In fact, it’s especially when we feel weak that His power is revealed in us most clearly.
If you’re concerned about decisions you have to make, then rely upon this promise and others like it:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." – Psalm 32:8
If you’re worried about your ability to resist temptation, then you can turn to First Corinthians chapter ten:
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." – 1 Corinthians 10:13
I could go on and on. The Bible is filled with promises that will help us in every situation we face. But they won’t do us any good locked away in our Bibles. They only have power as we discover them, and reflect on them, and take them to heart, and rely on them. And that takes work. There is no shortcut. You can buy books of Bible promises, but no matter how you locate them, you still have to believe in them, and claim them, and apply them to your life. I hope you will commit yourself this morning to doing just that. If you do, you will be on a sure path to joy and contentment.
In closing, I’d like us to remember why it is that we have all of these promises; why it is that we can rely on them, and trust them, and receive joy from them. It’s because Jesus Christ gave his life for us on the cross. Because of that, those who trust in him have been forgiven of our sins and granted eternal life. We have been reconciled to God, and He has become our loving heavenly father. It is through Jesus Christ that all the promises have been made to us by grace. As Paul writes,
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ."
– 2 Corinthians 1:20
I hope that you will read, and memorize, and rely upon the promises of God so that you can find great joy in finding them to be true, both now and forever.
(For an .rtf file of this and other sermons, see www.journeychurchonline.org/messages.htm)
