We have together explored the concepts of fighting for Joy in a World filled with sorrow; yet, you may ask so "Are you saying I am to be merry all the time?" What about all the aching of my aging body? What about all the annoyances that occur everyday in my life? What about the distress we must face every day that we live? From broken appliances in our home to dealing with bodies ravaged by illness. Though the outward man may be battling with fatigue, pain, aging, frustrations, frailties, and vanities; the joy that under girds is a joy based on hope. Like a steady flowing fresh water spring that hope rises up within us, bubbling forth and lifting us to be able to step forth into today. We are given the courage and the energy to step forth one more day into whatever world we must face today, marching forward to proclaim the name of Christ into a world plunging daily further into despair. Much like Paul says in Romans 8. Paul was imprisoned, beaten, cast down, and carried about with him a "thorn in the flesh." We are never told precisely what that thorn was; but we do know that it was that which caused him pain and irritation.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
My Joy and my Hope rest fully upon a relationship with my Heavenly Father who knows my every frailty. The more I know of His Love, the more I am aware of my own inability to love Him as I should; yet, I know one day I will. The more I see His righteousness, the clearer I see the darkness within my own heart and groan of my ineptness; yet, I know and hopefully cling to His promise that one day I will look like Christ. The more I see of His Glory, the more I realize my unworthiness; yet, I know His glory will reflect off my life like a mirror when I am emptied fully of my own selfish desires. This Joy is not one of drunken merriment; rather it is one of steady hope; knowing that God has a plan. Were I to be so fully comfortable with this life, would I ever seek Him? Will not the pains, sorrows, frailties and afflictions that we face on the earth create within us a greater joy when we stand before Him one day? Who would enjoy the banquet feast more, savoring each morsel–the one who eats to their fullest satisfaction every day or the one who has suffered hunger?
Luke 5: 30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
The self-righteous will never see their need of Christ and remain content with their counterfeit joys–thus never see or desire the true Joy (that steady ebbing flow that fills a heart that stands firm in hope and faith upon the Creator of this universe.) One day their counterfeit joys will dissipate and they will spend eternity apart from the only true hope. So let hope arise within you, sit in His presence for just a little while today and be filled with that Joy which He provides.