The Joy of the Lord (6)

“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5.12

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have itsperfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1.2-4

Unquenchable joy
The joy we have in the Lord is easy enough to experience when everything’s going well in our lives. As long as our circumstances are agreeable, then, sure, we can get into the joy of the Lord and sample its many pleasures and delights.

It’s when it seems like everything’s coming down around us, our world is caving in, or someone is treating us wrong that joy is about the last thing we’re thinking about or experiencing. This is the time for grieving, right?

Yet the joy we have in the Lord, because it is His joy, which He shares with us, is always available and ready to hand. If we keep that in mind, and if we are practicing access to joy at other times, then when trials come upon us, we’ll discover just how unquenchable the joy of the Lord is, and how powerful it can be to buoy and sustain us in the hard times.

Rejoicing in trials
Jesus and James teach us to rejoice in the midst of trials and adversities, especially those that come upon us because of our faith. James explains why this is so important, so that we might grow in patience and sanctification. Trials play a role in our lives, for they represent an opportunity to increase in Christ-likeness. For this reason alone we should rejoice when they come upon us, even though we may grieve and sorrow as we endure them.

It’s hard to understand how we can experience both these affections – sorrow and joy – at the same time. But this is part of the mystery of the Christian life. We travel this life as in a valley of tears, but our destination, and the reward of joy that awaits us there, is never out of sight. So, even as we sigh under the weight of our various burdens, our hearts are buoyed with joy, and we find the strength to go on.

So the first line of response to trials is to rejoice – to pray, sing, shout, bear witness to the goodness of the Lord, and in other ways to enter the joy that awaits us at journey’s end, and that is always available to us here and now.

And because trials have the potential to obscure our joy, Jesus explained how we may, in the midst of even the most severe trials, make our way into the joy of the Lord.

This way to joy
First, as we have said, we need to bear in mind that trials and even suffering are simply part of life in this valley of tears. Our duty is not to try to lessen our suffering, as though suffering were not to be expected in following Jesus, rather than embraced.

Further, Jesus makes no mention of seeking relief through political means or other forms of social pressure. Instead, Jesus teaches us how to live as citizens of a Kingdom not of this world.

First, we must look into the heavenly places, that we might see Jesus, seated at the right hand of God. He is our reward, and the joy we may know in Him, and He is exceedingly great. Meditate on His beauty. Draw near to Him, where He has seated you. Rest in the joy of His presence, power, and promise. Sing praise to Him with rejoicing. Follow the example of Stephen, and you will know the peace and joy he did, as he accepted his suffering at the hands of the enemies of the Lord (Acts 7).

At the same time, look around in the throne room of the Lord at that assembled host of faithful saints and martyrs who have preceded you into their reward and yours. Remember that they, too, endured many trials, and many of those trials much worse than anything we will ever know. Identify with them. Let your mind see them carrying your sanctified prayers to the Lord, glad to identify with you in your trial. Rejoice in the joy they express as they serve God and you in their heavenly abode.

Remember always that your citizenship is in heaven, and that you belong to a triumphant company and race, with whom you always dwell in the presence of the Lord. Your trials may continue and even grow worse, and they will bring pain and sorrow. But in Christ you may rise above the sorrow and pain, and rejoice in the larger and permanent truths of who you are and what you possess in Jesus Christ.

For reflection
1.  Suggest some practical ways that you might express sorrow and joy at the same time. Why is it important that you do this?

2.  How clear and compelling is your vision of Christ, exalted in glory? Where could you look in Scripture to enhance this vision?

3.  Can you think of any departed saints who endured suffering with patience and rejoicing? How can the example of our forebears in the faith help us to count our trials all joy?

Next steps – Preparation: Spend some time today working on your vision of the unseen realm, and the throne room of Christ. Meditate on Revelation 4 and 5, and any other passages that come to mind. Try to form a picture in your mind of that joyous court, and pray back to the Lord what you see there.

T. M. Moore

This is the final part of or 8-part series on Keeping the Heart. To download this week’s study as a free PDF, click here.

The Lord uses your prayers and gifts to help us in this ministry. Add us to your regular prayer list, and seek the Lord concerning whether He would have you share with us. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the contribute buttonat the website, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Where do the heart, mind, and conscience – which together comprise the soul – fit in our Christian worldview? Our free online course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, shows you how to understand the workings of your soul in relation to all other aspects of your life in Christ. For more information and to register, click here.

Jesus the Joy Bringer calls us to be bringers of joy. Read all about it in our booklet, Joy to Your World!Order your copy by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.