Category: joy

We all need the ‘joy of the Lord’ to be our strength, but why was Jesus called ‘a man of sorrows’? The joy Jesus wants us to have has nothing to do with the things the world promotes: “Eat this; buy that; experience this; look like that…” Jesus’ joy came from his Father and He wants us to possess it fully. “As the Father loves me so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11)

The world promotes the shallow, the external, the temporal… God cares about who we really are, what is truly important, and what will last forever. Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered and his life on earth was full of deep joy because He obeyed God and remained firmly in his Father’s love. And what did God know would make his Son’s joy complete? The Cross! Jesus would not tell us the road to Jerusalem was care-free. He would not sugar-coat his agony in Gethsemane. The sadistic cruelty of the Roman scourging and crucifixion can never be associated with anything pleasant, yet joy was a part of Christ’s passion. For the ‘joy set before him’ Jesus endured the Cross, scorned its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.

For a couple of hours this past Saturday, I raked and bagged leaves with seven-year-old John and his four-year-old sister Leesa. John wanted to know if they were going to get some money for their hard work in the yard. I said, “Yes, John, I’ll give you guys a little reward if we do a good job and finish.” For the rest of the time a little boy called out to his sister and co-worker, “Keep your eyes on the prize, Leesa, keep your eyes on the prize!” Raking leaves is hardly suffering, but Jesus says anyone who really wants to follow him must carry his cross. When the road is hard and the pain is overwhelming, we are not to lose hope. There is joy set before us, so “keep your eyes on the prize!”

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

I spent all morning at Emory today going through various tests. I’ve spent a lot of time at the cancer center over the past eleven years. It is always busy and usually I run into someone I know. Today I saw a friend with multiple myeloma who has really had a hard time lately. But she and her husband both smiled warmly and wished me a happy Thanksgiving. They are not letting the disease destroy a joyful attitude.

I believe it is true that some of the greatest thanksgiving takes place in the most difficult circumstances. When a person does not know how many days he has left on this earth, he often appreciates things a little more. Susan reminded me this week that we have so much to be thankful for and I know she is right.

There’s a place at the end of Romans 7 where Paul saw how helpless he was against the sin that works against us. God’s perfect law makes it even more apparent that we cannot be righteous by our own efforts. “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (v 24-25)

What can come against us that God cannot handle? We may be sick, but we are not separated from his love. We may be struggling financially, but we are not separated from the love of Christ. The devil may be attacking us from every side with every weapon, but we are not separated from God’s love.

One of Satan’s most-used strategies is to make us think we ARE separated from the love of God, but he is a liar and a thief. Jesus says, “Fear not, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” I want to be a sheep who even faces death with a smile on his face and thanksgiving on his lips and the truth in his heart that God wins.

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long: we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

Why does God want to hold my hand? One reason is that I need him so. God knows we need his hand of direction, guidance, and discipline. The independent spirit so common in our world forgets how weak and fragile and ignorant and foolish we really are. Like a wise parent, the perfect Father says, “Here child, hold my hand as we cross the street.” We need him more than we can even fathom… and his outstretched hand is our greatest blessing.

Perhaps another reason for hand-holding is the relationship God longs for us to have… a relationship defined by the deepest love. Susan and I are remembering what it is like to have a six-year-old in the house these days. John Turner’s mom, Terri, lives a distance away, so she lets John stay with us on school nights. It is not uncommon for him to slip his hand into mine while in the house or in the neighborhood. The unspoken message is: “I love you.”

Does the Heavenly Father feel joy when his children do the same? John sometimes prays like this: “God, I hope you’re having a good day.” I smile when I hear this little one saying “thank you” in an honest way. When we as children realize the great love we have received, we will also give sincere thanks. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God. And that is what we are!”

The Father loves to tenderly hold the hand of one He created and rescued. He loves to have fellowship with his children… “beside still waters” and “through the valley of the shadow of death.” When we sin we run away from this fellowship. Adam and Eve hid from God after they disobeyed. It is impossible to hold God’s hand when we independently choose our own path. But the Father is always there. He knows how to discipline and restore; he is full of mercy and grace and wisdom. If we listen carefully, we may hear him whisper, “I want to hold your hand.”

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceived my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:1-10

(Our youngest daughter Karlyn and I leave for Ecuador Saturday with a mission group from school, so I won’t be able to write next week. We appreciate your prayers! May God’s hand guide us all!!)

Solomon wrote, “There is a time to mourn and a time to dance…” Jesus said, “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’”

A spirit of religion can make us miss the moment. What if God wants me to hear a convicting message, but He chooses a messenger that does not fit my standards? “He’s too young; she’s too old; his hair is too long; her dress is too casual; his tattoo is too visible”… and while I examine all things exterior, I miss God’s message. Jesus was judged for hanging out with those many categorized as unworthy. “This guy can’t be from God… look at his friends!” But Jesus plainly told his critics that they were missing everything his Father was offering.

“God invited you to join in the proper activity at the proper time, but you refused to participate. John came saying, ‘Repent the Kingdom of God is near! Mourn for your sins, turn from what is wrong, prepare your hearts and be baptized,’ but you called him crazy and rejected his message. Then the Son of Man came saying, ‘The Kingdom of God is upon you! Hear the Good News! If you invite Me in, I’ll come eat with you. I offer everyone true Life!!’ but you called him a drunkard, a glutton, and the friend of sinners. You’re going to miss the wedding if you don’t wake up and recognize God’s wisdom. If you want to judge something, look at the fruit!” (see Matthew 11:16-19)

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. “Come Holy Spirit… do your work and prepare all hearts to hear the invitation.” Jesus says, “Come dance with Me! I will take you to my Father! We’re preparing a wedding feast and the celebration is about to begin. The world’s dance sucks the life out of you. What lasting good news does the world offer? But I am a breath of fresh air! I am the Author of true Life and you have a purpose… a purpose that is eternal. The people that misrepresent Me don’t know Me… but I will teach you who I am. I am humble and gentle; my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Come as you are, believe in Me, and I will clothe you in righteousness and make you part of my Bride.”

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?” Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” A little later John’s followers approached, asking, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don’t?” Jesus told them, “When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!” (Matt 9:10-15 – the Message)

Terry, John, Blake, and baby Leesa went with us to Chattanooga for Thanksgiving. Susan’s family and my family welcome Terry and her kids the same way they welcome us. We had a great holiday.

Most of the time John, who is 3-1/2 years old, calls me ‘Dana,’ but every now and then he calls me ‘Dad.’ He has quite an imagination and I must be on my toes to enter his ‘games’ at any moment. Not long ago at our house, John said, “Dad, it’s time for me to go to school.” I said, “OK…Bye-bye,” without realizing that I needed to drive him. So we got in the car on our driveway, buckled our seatbelts, and took a five second drive to school. I said, “Goodbye, John. Have a great day!” As John put on his imaginary book bag, he replied, “OK, Dad. You have a great day too!” He then walked to the other side of the driveway and pretended to put down his book bag so he could begin his school work. I wasn’t exactly sure what to do next, but I think I made the right decision. After about thirty seconds (that’s about enough school work for a three year old), I honked my horn. John turned to see me and started running with a big smile on his face. I got out of the car as he yelled, “Dad!” I shouted, “Hey son!” and John threw himself into my arms and gave me a big hug. I helped put his heavy book bag (those teachers give a lot of homework) in the car and we buckled up to drive home. John told me all about his day at school and I told him that I was so proud of him. When we arrived home, I realized that was just one day of the week. We repeated the same scenario at least five times… just long enough for me to learn something very beautiful.

I’m not sure of all the reasons John enjoyed playing this game, but I know why I did. You see, I delight in John. Our family has delighted in him since he was born. As he was so happy to see his ‘dad’ at the end of the ‘school day,’ I wanted John to know I was even happier to see him. There is beauty in fellowship.

I’ve probably read this verse fifty times over the past three weeks: “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11) Next time I want to write about “the fear of the Lord,” for I am concerned it is often absent in our world. But do I “put my hope in his unfailing love”? In John’s game, hope was an expectation. If I didn’t honk the horn at the end of each ‘school day’ I would have failed ‘my son.’ Our hope in the Lord is also an expectation. Waiting on the Lord is not an exercise in futility! God is love and He never fails. This means that in the end I will not be disappointed. Yes, perhaps now I don’t see the end and perhaps there’s a lot I don’t understand, but that’s OK. Bystanders might even say circumstances are hopeless, but by faith the child of God can say, “I am weary, but He is not. He will give me strength. Yes, I will hope in the Lord and He will make me soar on wings like eagles. He delights in me and I trust in Him.”

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17