Good Morning Friends,
About eight years ago the area where I live was designated the happiest place to live in the United States. Now I do not know exactly how people came up with this ranking, however it may raise our expectations in the wrong way, and I am not sure the designation would hold true today. Honestly, wonderful though happiness is, I would rather choose joy for it is more mobile and is more about people than place. So today we explore the glories of God, the holiness and grace of His Word in the Psalms, and a prayer that the meditations of our heart and the words we share with others, would bring us to the experience of God that we define as something more than happiness. Hopefully it will be something that resonates in each of our souls and helps us to smile from the inside out with peace. So, Have You Experienced Spiritual Joy?
Scripture: The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Psalm 126:3 (NRSV)
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 (NRSV)
To the leader. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:1-14 (NRSV)
Message: Maybe you like me have been following the developing stories of the 2024 Olympics. The Opening Ceremonies caused a bit of a stir. The French have always been a bit revolutionary so we really might have expected an out of the box event that broke with traditions and familiar presentations. I imagine the people in attendance, a list of who’s who, and especially the athletes enjoyed the opening event but for me most of it fell short of being joyous. Entertaining yes but not joyous. It was off the wall and sometimes annoying.For example, Marie Antonette’s severed head talking did not make me happy and certainly not joyous. Still, the skies opened up to singing in the rain and the bells of Notre Dame ringing again for the first time since the fire did witness to the glory of God in the drama to come. Friends, the point I would like to make is that the purpose and joy that surpasses all the stuff we accumulate and even typically experience in the world, is a relationship with God. It is this relationship that takes us out of our bubble, and it is this that is our greatest wealth. It is the eternal flame and greater than the winning of Gold that is available to each of us, not just those who could afford to be part of the Red Carpet or on the field of competition. Maybe finding and expressing joy is hard for you. It does not come easy for everyone. We seek it in all sorts of ways. But here is the key.You see, the Good News is joyful, and God wants us all to be joyful, so when we share the good news, a joy is generated. But make no mistake, it is not good enough to simply be happy because of circumstances, we are to be joyful in our witness to others of the great things God has done for us in our lives…in all things. Maybe this is why some people define joy as the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of our lives, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation even if that makes us initially feel uncomfortable.
And So, friends, we are to experience this joy in a way that makes it contagious in the lives of others. This is the joy that comes from knowing Christ and sharing the reality of this relationship with others… a joy that allows us to rejoice in all things… even things that are annoying. We are to experience a joy that allows us to get out of our bubble and sing and play in a way that magnifies the experience of life with God. We are to marvel at the amazing world in which we live because it was made by God and tells the story…the greatest story of all.
Pray that we have a God directed Spirit filled joy that is not dependent on our outward circumstances. Pray that we would have a cheerful heart in the face of things that are not thought to be joyful. Pray that we find joy in adversity… joy in our problems…joy because Christ’s joy outweighs any and all of the suffering and sin we endure. Pray that we find joy…spiritual joy and be filled with its power even as it frees us from our captivity. Pray that our relationship with God be reborn not out of fear but out of love. Pray we experience the joy of doing God’s will in serving others in need. Pray we realize that every time we forgive, we choose joy. Pray that every time we encourage another in the faith, we choose joy. Pray that the joy of Jesus is in us and made complete in a love that surpasses our understanding. Pray we not miss out on the greatest joy of life… the peace of Christ.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 