Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3
While grieving is a complex emotion which can lead to all sorts of outcomes, joy is simple. It is the greatest feeling in the world! Joy will cure a multitude of ills. How do we get it and how do we keep it is the question.
The darkest day ever was about to come to the disciples. The day Jesus was crucified. Jesus was preparing them for this time, instilling hope into their minds so they wouldn’t be completely overcome by grief. He said,
21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:21-24
Jesus promised no one can take our joy. Yes, we will grieve. There will be times of sorrow. But those are fleeting and powerless to destroy our joy. They only win when we lay down our joy and forget about God’s promises. We can ask God for His power to overcome, and for His joy to be complete in us.
As the hymn states, Jesus gives us a ‘joy unspeakable and full of glory.’ This is an indescribable feeling that you never want to end. Some call it a mountaintop experience. It can be overwhelming in its ability to heal and mend the psyche. It can cause us to dance, or just lay down and cry, basking in the glow of the Holy Spirit’s gift.
Joy in the Lord can be hard to hold onto sometimes. The pulls and problems of this world are always hammering away, trying to break us. However, we need to remember these words in Nehemiah,
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Has anyone ever asked you why you have that smile on your face? It could be your spirit is at peace and your joy is full. This is way of the Christian life. A life lived in Jesus, for His glory, and in His presence. Jesus wants our joy to be complete. There is no better way.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11
Prayer: Dear Lord, we know you never fail us. We may sorrow, but you remind us joy will come in the morning. We may have anxiety and grief, but your joy will heal us. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Fill me with your joy. I praise your holy name. Amen.
