02/06/2020
Are we working so hard at getting through our daily life that we miss the beauty and happiness swirling around us? What about in our faith? Are we so busy minding our religion, and the other things in life, that the joy of faith escapes us, and the rejoicing seems to be for others, but not for us? My friends, don’t let Satan rob you of the inexplicable joy that is rightfully yours, and the glory we find at its heart. He will attempt to refocus your attention so completely on the mundane duties of church life, that you will miss the fruit of faith, and your relationship with God.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,”
1 Peter 1:8 ESV
Even though I didn’t know her classmates, I went with My wife to her high school reunion, but surprisingly there were a couple of folks that I did know, and I enjoyed chatting with them. As for Ann and the rest of her classmates, it had been over 35 years since They graduated, and they were busy catching up on each other’s lives. There was a roar of laughter and spirited conversation in the room... you could feel their joy. For the most part, they hadn’t seen each other in many years, but they always knew the others were out there somewhere. The joy they were feeling on this particular weekend hadn’t been present in all those long years of not seeing one another. This is a lot like faith... even though we can’t see God, or Jesus, we know they are there, but so many of us don’t believe this with the intensity required to feel the joy that a real joining together brings us.
“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
John 16:22 ESV
Another example came during the months that Ann and I were separated from one another as I worked to complete computer school in Washington D.C. and she attended college in Nashville, and prepared for our upcoming wedding. Each week we would talk on the phone, and for those few minutes we were happy and reassured in the health of our relationship. But when we finally saw one another again the joy became real, and unspeakable in its intensity.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
If you still can’t grasp this joy, then go to the airport, and stand at the gates for a while. You will witness joy and happiness as families and friends are reunited, and it will thrill your soul. The tears and laughter of joy, joined with the hugs and kisses, will bring the joy of others into you as well. Our joy in faith should be just this intense every day. Each morning when we open our eyes, experience God, and thank Him for our new day, we should be joyous like those travelers who we witnessed as they were reunited... as if seeing one another for the first time. Then all the day long our faith should make the renewed togetherness we feel through the strength of our faith a palpable joy.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24 ESV
So the snare that is laid for us is one in which we would be separated from the joy of our faith, and the bait that is often placed in this trap is our religion. We can become so involved with such tasks as preparing for classes, balancing the books, visiting the sick, and other such duties, that we neglect our personal relationship with God Himself. We can become so engrossed in preparing a sermon about what scripture tells us that Jesus said, that we forget to have our own conversation with Him, and feel the intense joy of being with Him throughout the day.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4 ESV
Let’s reread my opening question again, and determine whether we are in the trap, or actually feeling the very real joy we are meant to experience...
“Are we so busy minding our religion that the joy of faith escapes us, and the rejoicing seems to be for others, but not for us?”
If you have determined that you have fallen victim to the temptation of religious duties, and are in the trap, separated from joy, then it is time to call out to the Lord for release, and to refocus your faith on Him. Now is the time to make your faith real, and strong enough to see His face clearly, experience the joy you are intended to feel, and to dwell in His glory all the day long.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the amazing joy you bless me with every day, and all the day long. Thank you for revealing your glory to me as we walk together in joyous union, and revel in our relationship. Strengthen my faith Holy Father so that even though I can’t see you, or your Son Jesus, I will know you are beside me always, and in a very real way. Know the depths of my heart, and that I love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Guide me by your Holy Spirit so that I will avoid the snares that would entrap me, and keep me separated from you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose joy fills me day and night, and whose glory thrills me always. Praised be your name Father, as I call out to you in prayer, and sing to you in joyous worship. Strengthen my faith, and give me signs enough that I can see your face, even with my eyes closed, and taste you as I breathe in the air around me. give me your joy, and peace, as I focus my life, and prayers on you, and our eternal relationship of love. All glory is yours Father, and in your joy I experience it now, and desire it forevermore.
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:10-11 ESV
Rich Forbes