For the Sake of His Name

I’ve been doing a study recently on suffering and trials and why God allows them into our lives.  Today I came to a Biblical example of these things: the Apostle Paul.  2 Timothy 3:11-12 says that he endured persecutions and afflictions at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra.  We know that he battled a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12), and a couple of times he actually enumerated his physical sufferings for Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:9-10 tells us that Paul suffered

• Hunger and thirst
• Nakedness
• Beating (“buffeted”)
• No home (I can identify with that one!)
• Hard work
• Reviling
• Persecution
• Defamation
• Made as “the filth of the world and the offscouring of all things.”

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 gives us an even more in depth look into Paul's sufferings:

• In Labors
• Stripes (beatings) above measure
• Imprisoned frequently
• Close to death often
• Beaten five times with 39 stripes
• Three times beaten with rods
• Three times shipwrecked
• One time stoned
• Spent a day and a night in the sea
• Frequent journeys (deputation anyone?)
• In various perils – from water, robbers, his own countrymen, the heathen, in the city, in the wilderness, from false brethren.
• Weary
• In Pain
• Sleeplessness (“watchings”) often
• Hungry and thirsty
• Fasting often
• Cold and nakedness

Yet this same Paul declared that he suffered theses things because he was appointed as a preacher, teacher, and apostle to the the Gentiles, “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persudaed that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:11-12). 

This same Paul said that he said that he suffers trouble as an evildoer, but will “endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Jesus Christ with eternal glory.” (2 Tim. 2:9-10).

This same Paul declared boldly in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 that he will gladly bear these infirmities and trials, even glorying in them, so that the power of Christ can rest upon him.  He uses these words, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

This same Paul referred to his afflictions as “light” in 2 Corinthians 4:17, and taught us that suffering is but for a moment, and is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

This same Paul told the Roman believers that he has added everything up in his account book (“reckon”) and can see that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18).

Sometimes I feel crushed under the weight of my trials and tribulations.  It seems as if there is no end in sight, no light at the end of the tunnel, no break in the pain.  And I have not suffered anything close to what Paul endured, and he called it all “light”. 

If I could see with eternal eyes, I would realize like Paul that what feels bulky, and heavy, and crushing to me now will be like a drop in the bucket compared to the weight of glory that it will be some day.  I would be able to suffer and endure more easily because I would realize that this affliction is just for a moment, and it cannot compare to the glory which is coming.  I would be able to declare truthfully that I rejoice when suffering comes, because I know that the weakness I am enduring is putting the strength of Jesus on display. 

Lord, help me to see with eternal vision today.

Joy in Answering Right

I haven’t posted anything from my study on joy recently.  It’s a lot to process, and even more to live out.  But I wanted to go back to it (I have moved on to another study now) to refresh and remind myself what I learned.

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One thing that I often struggle with is the misuse of my mouth.  I get carried away before I notice…whether it is saying the wrong thing, using the wrong tone, or just talking too much.  I have two daughters, and I have been noticing that sometimes they just talk incessantly, and often it is the same dribble over and over again.  But then I realized…I do that too!  Prov. 10:19 says that in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin.  But Prov. 15:23 teaches us that giving the right answer brings us joy!

“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”

The answer that I give and the way that I speak can bring me joy.  Sometimes it is just the timing that is vital.  Recently I was able to encourage a friend as she went through a trail.  I was able to say to her, at the right time, some of the things that God had taught me previously through the same trial.  It was a great feeling to be able to speak what I know God wanted me to say, at the right moment.  He had prepared me for that situation by allowing me to go through the trial already.  He had worked His own words into my heart through the difficulty, and then they were able to come out and be a blessing and encouragement to someone else in the same difficulty.  That was a joyous moment! 

“Many a good word comes short of doing the good it might have done, for want of being well-timed.”  --Mathew Henry

Last November I completed a study on 1 Samuel 25 – the story of Abigail.  Several times in that chapter Abigail illustrated this principle of the joy that comes from the answer that we give.  She was able to humbly address David (who was not yet the king) and speak words to him that helped him to see the error of his way, and stem the tide of his anger, which was bent on wiping out Abigail’s household.  She was able to not speak to her husband and tell him what had happened, because her husband was drunk and she knew it was the wrong timing to bring up the situation.  Later, when God had taken care of the situation (and her evil husband was dead), Abigail was able to rejoice in her part of giving the right answer.

I also thought of Joseph as a Biblical example.  His brothers had sold him into slavery in Egypt, but God had promoted him to be the second in command in the entire country.  His brothers came to Egypt seeking food in the famine.  Joseph did not reveal himself to them on the first meeting.  He did not lash out and blame them for his trials.  He waited until the right moment to tell them that he was Joseph, and that God had used him to save many souls alive.  He used his tongue in the right way, and in the right time, and his relationship with his brothers was restored.

Some other examples would include Esther – her timing in approaching the king and waiting to give her request illustrates the need for proper timing in our speech.  Mary responded to the angel, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).  She accepted what he wanted her to do, she gave a submissive response, and she had the joy of being the mother of Jesus.

Let’s have joy by the answer we give today!

God has Joy

One of my favorite passages from my study on joy was Zephaniah 3.  I actually worked through the whole book, but the good stuff is in chapter 3.  This book is God’s promise that judgement is coming on Judah, as well as the nations.  “Zephaniah” means God hides.  Chapter 3 reminds us that there is always a remnant of God’s people.  The ones who have been faithful and have not compromised or drifted away from the Lord.  As I thought about the man God used to deliver this message, and the meaning of his name, I was reminded that there are always servants of God, though sometimes they seem hidden away.  And I thought about how God is able to hide us from the trouble and the judgement, if we have been faithful.

This book opens with a declaration of man’s apathy in chapter 1 verse 12.  Basically the people were saying “God is not involved in the affairs of men.”  Yet God says, “I am in your midst” in chapter 3, verses 5, 15, 17.  This is comforting to me when I go through difficult times – God is right there with me in the midst of it all. 

Chapter 3 is really full of amazing truths.  I know that it is written to Israel, but we can draw principles from the truth of this passage.  When God brings back the remnant (when He restores them – sometimes our sin drives us away from God but He can restore us again), they will sing & shout (3:14), they will be glad and rejoice (3:14), they will realize that the Lord is in the midst of them (3:15), they will not fear (3:16), and they will be diligent (3:16).

Here are some things I see about the Lord in this chapter:

• He is in my midst v.17
• He will rejoice over me v.17
• He will save v.17
• He will rest in His love v.17
• He will joy over me with singing v.17
• He will gather us together v.18
• He will undo the affliction v.18
• He will save v.19
• He will get praise and fame for those who were afflicted and driven away v.19
• He will bring us again (restore) v.20
• He will make us a name (restore) v.20

These promises are so precious.  I can choose to live in disobedience and suffer judgment; or I can choose to be faithful and wait for the Lord to bring His plan to pass (3:8).  I can continue to trust in the Lord (3:12), I can leave my “enemies” to the Lord to deal with (3:15).  I can continue to work for the Lord even when the future seems unknown (3:16).  And then – the promises of verse 17!  He is with me, and He will save me, and when I am faithful even in these difficult or trying times, He will rejoice over me.  I can bring joy to my God.  His love for me will be seen and the fruit of it reaped whe  I return His love in faithful living.  Not only does He give me joy (3:14), but I can bring joy to Him through my life!

What Are Some Things that Bring Joy?

I am on Day 23 of my personal study of joy through the Bible.  But it has taken me over a month to get that far.  There’s a lot that is just kind of “sitting” in my mind, rolling around, and trying to figure out the right way to express it.  But today as I am nearing the end of my study, I looked at several things that Scripture says can bring us joy.

1. The Word of God.  Psalm 119 is all about the Word of God, but it is replete with statements of how the Psalmist delights in God’s Word, or rejoices in God’s Word.  I would suggest a read through this powerful Psalm, but the verses that speak of delight in God’s Word are 14, 16, 24, 35, 47, 70, 77, 92, 143, and 174.  Verse 111 states that the Word of God rejoices the heart.  Verse 162 says that “I rejoice at Thy Word.”
2. Proverbs 23:24 tells us that having righteous and wise children will bring joy to a mother and father.  I am trusting the Lord that we are raising our kids to be this kind of children – the ones that bring us joy and not shame or sorrow.
3. Proverbs 15:23 states that we can have joy by the answer of our mouth.  Being able to say the right thing at the right time can bring joy to our own hearts…much less those around us!
4. Luke 15 gives three parables of a lost thing – the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost (prodigal) son.  In all three instances, when the lost thing is restored, the owner has great joy and calls his friends and relatives to rejoice with him.  I know that I have lost important or valuable items before, and I feel sick inside until they are located.  These parables teach us the more important truth, that when a sinner repents, it brings joy to heaven.  It should bring joy to me, too, to be a part of God’s plan for redeeming men.  I can share the Gospel and rejoice when others choose to accept it.
5. Romans 5:1-5 tells us a couple more things to rejoice in.  The prospect, or the expectation (hope) of the return of Christ and our final redemption for eternity should bring great cause for rejoicing.  I know I don’t always rejoice in, or look for, His coming as I ought to! 
6. We can also rejoice in our tribulations, because we can look ahead and see that God’s purpose is to make us more like Christ.  This is the hardest area for me to find joy.  I usually start complaining when my circumstances don’t line up how I would choose.  James 1:2-3 also tells us to find joy in trials – because it produces patience in our lives.
7. Romans 5:11 expresses the fact that we should have joy in our atonement.  How often do we take our salvation for granted instead of rejoicing daily that we are no longer hell-bound?
8. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the joy on the other side.  What is that joy?  Joy in knowing that He had finished His task and fulfilled the Will of God.  I too can find joy in doing God’s Will for my life.

The Joy of the LORD is Your Strength

Nehemiah 8:10 is probably one of the best known verses on joy.  This verse comes in the middle of a passage as the people were holding a solemn feast to the Lord.  Ezra read the entire book of the law, while the poeple stood to listen (try that in modern churches!).  The New Testament teaches us that the Law is a schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ.  The Law had the same effect on this congregation, for they were so disturbed by their sin, after seeing how they had violated the Law, that they were mourning and weeping.  Ezra and Nehemiah had to instruct them to stop mourning so that they could worship the Lord properly on this holy day!  They were told to go and have their feast, and make mirth, and that the joy of the Lord would be their strength.

Verse 12 concludes that the people responded this way because “they had understood the words that were declared unto them.”  As we read God’s Word we may be broken because of our sin, but we can also rejoice in the God of our salvation.  As we realize what He has saved us from, the joy we receive gives us strength to live for Him.

Some parallel thoughts include these verses:  (emphasis added)

Prov. 10:29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.

Isa 25:1-4 O LORD, thou [art] my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. 2 For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. 3 Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee. 4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

Psalm 28:7-8 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. 8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

Isaiah 12:1-3 And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

2 Cor. 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

2 Cor. 12:8-9 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Matthew Henry states, “Holy joy will be oil to the wheels of our obedience…The joy fo the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies.”

The Hebrew word translated strength in Nehemiah 8:10 also means a place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold, harbour.  As we make the choice to rejoice in the Lord – to be thankful for His salvation, to trust in His strength, to rely on Him in our trial – then He tucks us away in the safety and refuge of Himself.  I think that knowing this only intensifies the joy!

Isaiah 61 says that God wants “to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”  We should mourn for our sin, as the Israelites did in Nehemiah 8, when we understand the depth of our sin from the Word of God.  But then we allow the Lord to take our mourning and exchange it for joy.  To take the heaviness and sorrow of our sin, and trade it for a garment of praise.  All of this brings glory to the Lord!

“The joy of the Lord is your strength”

Joy in the Psalms

One of the things which I have done in my study on joy is walk through all the verses that mention joy in the Psalms and Proverbs.  I hand wrote all of those verses in my journal.  Here are some conclusions that I drew:

1. Joy comes from trusting in the Lord (Ps 5:11)
2. Joy  is in the presence of the Lord (Ps. 16:11)
3. Joy comes from the Lord’s salvation (Ps. 21:1)
4. Joy is worshipping God - we offer sacrifices of joy (Ps. 27:6)
5. Joy comes at the end of trials (Ps. 30:5)
6. Joy is in the Lord (Ps. 32:11)
7. Joy is in doing right (Ps. 32:11)
8. The Lord wants us to have joy and prosperity (Ps. 35:27)
9. We worship through joy (Ps. 42:4)
10. The presence of God and His city brings joy (Ps. 48:1)
11. We can ask God for joy (Ps. 51:8)
12. Initial joy is in salvation (Ps. 51:12)
13. God restores lost joy (Ps. 51:12)
14. Physical blessings can bring joy (Ps. 65:13)
15. We can rejoice (or have joy) just knowing that God is righteous (Ps. 67:4)
16. We reap joy after the trial (which is often sowing in tears) (Ps. 126:5)
17. Wisdom and peace bring joy (Prov. 12:20)
18. Joy is not dependent on others (they cannot take my joy away) (Prov. 14:10)
19. Giving the right answer brings us joy (Prov. 15:23)
20. Wise children bring joy (Prov. (17:21; 23:24)
21. Joy comes from doing right (Prov. 21:15)

The Source of Joy

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I think we could probably all answer this question without studying, but I wanted to study it anyway.  Joy comes from God.  But how do we access that joy?

In John 16:17-24 and 33, Jesus is trying to tell His disciples that He is leaving (referring to His death).  But He promised them that their sorrow would be turned to joy, and fullness of joy.  They would see Him again after His resurrection, and then they would receive His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Joy is this passage is a comfort.  But because the disciples were trying to conform His words to their expectations of a physical kingdom set up on earth, their disappointment blinded them to truth.  Jesus told them that “in that day” (when they would see Him again) they would ask Him nothing.  Why?  Because they would understand what He had meant. 

But then He instructed them to ask of the Father in His name, and they would receive it.  Jesus even went on to explain that the asking and receiving through prayer would lead to fullness of joy.  We are directed to ask for all that we need and all that He has promised.  And we are assured to receive it.  The blessed effect of the prayer of faith is that it fills us with joy.

“Would we have our joy full, as full as it is capable of being in this world, we must be much in prayer.  When we are told to rejoice evermore, it follows immediately, pray without ceasing” – Matthew Henry (referencing 1 Thess. 5:16 ff)

God’s gifts, through Christ, fill the treasures of the soul, they fill its joy.  So what is the source of joy?  The presence of the Savior, and God’s spiritual blessings accessed in prayer.  Nothing physical, for the disciples were sorrowful and the world would be trying to steal joy away from them.  But Jesus promised that their joy would remain full as they remained connected to the Father in prayer.

What is Joy?

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines it this way:

joy noun \ˈjȯi\ -

1. a :  the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight
   b :  the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety

2. a state of happiness or felicity : bliss

3. a source or cause of delight

joy verb -

1. :  to experience great pleasure or delight : rejoice

2. archaic : gladden

3. archaic : enjoy

The Bible speaks of both joy and happiness.  Many times we are told to rejoice, and Jesus teaches on having fullness of joy.  Yet Jesus also taught in the sermon on the mount many ways to be blessed, or happy.  Joy is usually described as something which cannot be taken away when circumstances change, while happiness is based on circumstances entirely.  One site describes it this way: 

Happiness is an emotion in which one experiences feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense pleasure. Joy is a stronger, less common feeling than happiness.  {source – not necessarily recommended}

I think the difference between the two will be more clearly seen as we continue to study where joy comes from, and how and when God instructs us to have joy.

“Our joys on earth we are liable to be robbed of by a thousand accidents, but heavenly joys are everlasting.” 
--Matthew Henry

A Study on Joy

Recently the Lord has led me to do a topical study on joy in my quiet time. I want to document some of that journey here, as I have time to express in writing what God is teaching me.

It has been wonderful to be home from deputation and on a mostly “normal” wake-up schedule.  We implemented an “okay to get up” signal for the kids to ensure that we could get a measure of time with the Lord before the kids converge on the day.  This has been amazing to my devotions, which suffered greatly over the last couple of years while we traveled!

My study is utilizing an inductive Bible Study method which I am learning through the Busy Mama Bible Studies several times a year from Doorposts.  These have radically changed my quiet time, and allowed me to go deep even in just a few minutes while I walk through the Little Years with my kiddos.  I am enjoying using these Moleskine Cahier notebooks for each study, and my Prismacolor pencils are never far away.  (I even got Ben hooked on using them in his quiet time!)

The reason I began this study is because my pastor preached through several of the words we typically see around at Christmastime – words that the world uses, but doesn’t really understand (like love, joy, peace).  I realized that I have been struggling to have joy in my walk with God, because I have been disappointed at His choices for my path, and frustrated that His timing is not my timing.  I want to show joy and contentment to my kids and my husband, not selfishness and frustration.

To kick off my study, I created a pretty reminder to help me choose joy each day.

You can download it here, in JPG or PDF format.

The Lord is my Rock

Photo from Moab, UT

Sometimes life overwhelms me and I feel like I’m sinking.  Sometimes I’m sinking in laundry and dishes; other times it is in self-pity or guilt.  I can never pull myself out of that desperate place on my own.  I have to remember that the Lord is my rock.  He is a firm foundation, even when I feel like life is ever-shifting around me.  He never changes, even my kids’ schedules and my emotions are on a roller coaster.  He is my defense from those darts of guilt and shame and condemnation that the enemy flings my way. 

When I was in Moab, UT and I saw this rock, Psalm 18:2 came to my mind. Psalm 28:7  came to mind also.  It says, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.”  When I go back to the fortress, my heart is helped.  When I put my trust back where it belongs, I find rejoicing and my song returns.

I will choose joy…

No matter what happens…today I CAN choose joy.  I CAN rejoice in the Lord.

We Will Obey God

In Acts 5, we have obedience illustrated in the lives of the apostles.  They were dragged before the High Priest in verses 16 and following.  The charge?  Preaching the Gospel and healing the sick.  When the angel of the Lord came and released them from prison during the night, he instructed them to go back to the temple and preach the “words of this life” (vs.20).  If I had been beaten and thrown into prison, I would have escaped the city at the first chance I had.  But not so with the apostles – they obeyed the instructions from the angel and returned to the temple the next morning to the preach the Gospel.

You can imagine what the response was when the High Priest discovered that they were at it again!  He was not happy.  He was incredulous that they had disobeyed his warning to stop preaching the Gospel (vs.27-28). 

Not afraid, the response was given in verse 29:

“We ought to obey God rather than men.”

So simple.  So profound.  So often not the case.  How many times do we bow to the wishes or demands of society?  We don’t want to stand out, so we choose to blend in.  Preaching the Gospel isn’t popular, so we just hand a tract instead (if we do anything at all).  We don’t want to confront sin, so we find a way to gloss over it or not deal with it.

I like what Gamaliel said in verses 35-39.  Though he was a Pharisee, he was very wise in the counsel which he offered.  He said,

“Refrain from these men, and let them alone:  for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:  But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

I know that sometimes I get very worked up when I come across something that I don’t like.  A political view that I think is wrong.  Someone spewing wrong doctrine.  People in powerful positions who water-down or twist the truth.  I don’t need to worry about them.  Yes – stand for what is right.  But really, if it is of God, I cannot destroy it.  And if it is of men, it will come to nothing.  I just need to rest in the Lord (Ps.37:7).

The last thing which I noticed in this story is the final response of the apostles.  They were beaten before the authorities let them go free.  They didn’t upset, or discouraged, or angry.  In verse 41, they were found “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”  And in verse 42, they returned right away to preaching the Gospel.  What an example they set for us, not only for response to persecution, but also that in trials we may “count it all joy” (James 1).

Jealousy

1 Samuel 18-19

Saul was so jealous that he wanted to kill David.  David’s only crime was that the Lord was with him, and he behaved wisely.  The people loved him and flocked to him because of it.  But Saul had made his choices of disobedience, and the Spirit of the Lord was departed from him.  If I am in a right relationship with God, I will not be jealous and envious of other people.  If the Lord is using them, then I will rejoice.  We can have sweet fellowship, as David did with Jonathan.  But when I have walked away from God’s Will, I open myself up to the temptation and snare of the devil.  I will become jealous of the success of others, even if it is in the ministry.  In the church age we have the indwelling Holy Spirit who works in our lives.  He will not leave me as He did Saul.  However, I can walk away from His leading and choose my own will over His Will.  At that time I cease to be in fellowship with the Spirit, and I can become jealous.

Lord, help me never to become jealous of another’s “success” in ministry.  Help me always to rejoice at spiritual victories won, whether  by me or someone else.  Use me to do thy will, and don’t let a jealous spirit get in the way.

Don’t be discouraged

“And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.”  (Numbers 21:4)

The children of Israel took their eyes off the Lord and focused on their circumstances, and it discouraged them.  I will be discouraged in the transition to Brooklyn if I focus on the way.  But if I delight in the Lord, and draw my joy and strength from Him, then I will not be discouraged.   May I be like David in the midst of hard times – “…but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Sam. 30:6)