Waiting … Anticipating … Rejoicing

“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

Zechariah 2:10-13

Zechariah penned these words inspired by the Holy Spirit an estimated 470-480 years before the coming of the Messiah. If I were Zechariah, I think I would’ve asked a few follow-up questions, maybe tried to pin God down on a date for the fulfillment of all these promises.

Wouldn’t you?

“Will you marry me?” A high-pitched squeal. “Oh, of course, you hunky stud! This is the happiest day of my life!” Six months go by. “When are we getting married?” “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven …” (O the trials of the bride of Christ!)

And so we wait. And wait. And wait. For the fulfillment of promises. For the return of Christ. For the marriage supper of the Lamb. For the perfection of Heaven. 

But here’s the interesting thing about this text: It tells us to shout and be glad (present tense - now!) because he is coming and will live among us (future tense). The wait God gives us is not one of drudgery, but one of anticipation and excitement.  

So shout for joy, my friend! For you are loved by the God who created the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them! You are the bride of Christ, and he is coming for you! Every tear shall be wiped from your eye, every provision shall be made for you, and you will dwell in the presence of God forever!

Rejoice today in your tomorrow!

Twenty-six years ago Bobby McFerrin wrote and performed a catchy song called Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Essentially, Bobby says no matter what your circumstances, it is best not to worry.

Good advice, but easier said than done!

 

Most of us have a list of things that cause us to worry. I worry about the economy and whether my kids will have the same opportunities I had. I hope my three daughters will have loving, God-fearing husbands. (My two married daughters do!) And I sometimes worry about my mother who lives a couple hundred miles away.

 

Today’s reading is Luke 12:22-34. A large crowd gathered to hear Jesus speak. In this parable, he tells the people to not worry. Yes, Jesus acknowledges they have needs, but he reassures them that, as God’s children, God will ensure they have what they need. Their (and our) priorities should be on spiritual things.

 

God will see to it that our physical needs are met on Earth. But there is more to it. In Acts 14:17 St. Paul tells us that God, “fills our hearts with joy.”

 

Joy and happiness are a bit different. Webster describes happiness as enjoying something, or having pleasure. Happiness, therefore, is associated with our circumstances in this world. Joy, on the other hand, is contentment, regardless of circumstances, that gives us inner peace.

 

Only God can give us joy. He did this by sending his Son to die on the cross to take away our sins. What joy it is to know that my eternal life has been taken care of! There is nothing I need to do!

 

With a heart filled with joy, there is not a lot of room left for worry (although there will always be some room for it because I still am stained with sin).

 

No wonder Jesus tells us to set our hearts on spiritual things! That will reduce our worries.

 

Now, back to Bobby.

 

There is nothing wrong with being happy. Bobby’s tune is pleasant and worth remembering. But, we might want to alter it just a bit.

 

Don’t Worry, Be Joyful!

So beyond happiness ...

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth." Psalm 100:1

I knew a man who went through seminary and became a pastor, yet did not know Jesus Christ. One day as he was preparing his sermon, the Scripture text spoke life and truth into the deepest part of his soul and, all alone in his study, he shouted out, "Jesus, you're real!" Over his remaining years, that conviction grew ever deeper, as did his joy, and this man unabashedly spoke of his love for Jesus more than anyone I've ever known.

Joy and peace are joined at the hip. I think of joy as the delight and wonderment that accompany the peace and assurance we find in God's truth. Sometimes, it bubbles over, uncontained in outward expression. More often, it is a quiet confidence, an inner gladness, a complete contentment that fills us regardless of our situation.

In Psalm 100, David meditated on these simple truths: The Lord is God ... God made us ... we belong to him ... God provides for us and protects us ... we are invited into his presence ... God is good ... and God is faithful. In these assurances, David was effusive in gladness and delight: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth!"

Take time to breathe in these truths that speak peace, this peace that brings joy. They are life for the soul.

Happiness packs its bags when times get tough, but joy is a faithful companion even in our suffering. For joy is not rooted in our circumstances that change but in our God who does not.

"Jesus, you're real!" Amen, brother. 

Such peace. What joy!

And the ending is...

John 15:11 (NIV) "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." 

This one-liner from Scripture is like the "amen," of every story I read.  No matter what lesson I am learning, nor which story I am reading from the Holy Book, it could be ended with, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." These words are like final the punctuation marks to every point made.

Every morning when I spend time with God, seeking answers, comfort, direction or simply quiet peace; the words "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete," the words I truly long to hear.  Regardless if my troubles are many and I feel I am drowning, the Words read in the Bible are meant to give joy - that is the reason I turn to scripture.

Joy is so much more than happiness.  Happiness depends on outside sources and is often dependent upon temporary things.  Joy is found inside, deep inside my heart.  I could be crying and struggling with a situation I that has been thrust upon me, but I can still have joy.

What are the words God is sharing with you this day?  Which story in Scripture mirrors your current struggle or hardship?  Before you close the cover, end the lesson with these Words of Jesus and see if it doesn't make a bit more sense.  "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." 

John 15:1-11

Beatitudes, Salt and Light -- Matthew 5:1-16

Have you ever wondered what people mean when referring to someone as 'blessed'?  Sometimes I will hear a comment like, "I was so blessed by his kindness," or "I pray you are blessed by this gift."  I generally hear phrases like these from my Christian friends, those who care about me and want what is best for me.  In the Beatitudes we witness these words, these wishes of blessings, from Jesus.

The word blessed means more than happy.  Happiness is an emotion and depends on outward happenings, on other people's behavior.  Happiness is fleeting and often momentary.  Blessed refers to ultimate well-being and the spiritual joy that comes only from following the Savior, Jesus.  These eight beatitudes reflect the practices of one who follows Jesus.

I like to look at this text as a list of things to practice every day; a list of character traits to live out.  Perhaps calling the list 'be'-attitudes can help us to understand more fully.  I need to be...mournful, humble, meek, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker.  I must learn to make my attitude one that exudes these qualities - hence, be-attitudes.

I am blessed by the fellowship of body of believers when they come together and love and support one another.  This blessing is a spiritual joy that warms the heart and fills all the voids life leaves in its wake; it has nothing to do with momentary happiness and everything to do with being Jesus to each other.

To read the entire text click here.