01/17/2021
Are we sorrowful today, and is the joy we once felt diminished, as our happiness is draining from us? Have we been brought low and find ourselves on our knees before God crying out for the relief that only He can provide? If this is true, and we are on our knees before Him, then we should view the trials which have brought us such pain to be joy, and our posture before Him an indication that our faith has been successfully tested.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James 1:2-3 ESV
So often we find happiness in things that are not part of God’s ultimate will and plan for us, and when they crumble away we are devastated, but we should take heart, and come to Him in the fullness of our sorrow; there in our grief and sadness He will reveal His joy to us, and let us see what He intends for us to have if we will allow Him to work out His amazing will in our lives. Not everything that is taken away is bad, or in itself was meant to bring harm, sometimes the wonderful things in our life are simply not part of God’s larger plan for us, and we can’t see the incredible rewards that lie ahead until they are eventually revealed to us.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11 ESV
Jesus was living a life of great fulfillment as He travelled about preaching, teaching, and doing the other things that God placed before Him. He was obedient to the Lord’s Will as he healed, cast out demons, and raised the dead, but there came a time when all of that was meant to end, and God’s ultimate plan for His life was to begin... His passion was at hand.
“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Matthew 16:21 ESV
When that time was eventually at hand Jesus suffered for the loss that He was about to undergo, and like us He knelt before God and pleaded for that cup to be removed from him. Have we ever prayed a prayer like this? Have we asked for some cup that was filled with sorrow or pain to be removed from our hands? How about a lost love we prayed to be restored, or a dying family member to be healed? We all face such moments. Jesus needed help in dealing with His moment, and God will give us help when we face ours too.
“saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:42-44 ESV
Yet, in the end there was great joy for Jesus, and there will also be great joy for us. Do you recall this verse in the book of Hebrews that tells us of the joy that Jesus found waiting for Him following His crucifixion? Well that same joy awaits us when we suffer as part of God’s will for us... there will be joy to follow our obedience.
“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the trials and suffering we face as we live out the will you have for our lives. We thank you for the bad and harmful things you have removed from our path, but even more Father, we thank you for the good things you have taken away that we longed to hold fast to, even though they were not part of your continuing will for us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us so much that you would deny us our desires to ultimately bless us with your joy in great abundance. Merciful are you Lord for allowing us to suffer for a while, but give us your joy for all eternity. Thank you for your Son Jesus who suffered in His obedience to your will so that we might be redeemed, and made worthy in your eyes by His blood. Lift us up Father, and seat us at your table so that His joy, and ours, will find its fullness in the suffering now past, and your promise fulfilled.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11 ESV
Rich Forbes