Week 3 - Joy
Day 15 - 21
Day 16
On page one of the Bible, God says that this world is good, so naturally people find joy in the good things God has made. But the biblical story also shows how this world has been corrupted by our own selfishness and is now marked by death and loss. How can anyone experience joy amidst so much chaos and sorrow? In the midst of this tension, the Bible offers a unique perspective on joy. The joy of God’s people is sustained by God’s promises over their future destiny, not on their current circumstances. For example, when God rescued Israel from slavery, they shouted for joy even though they were still in the middle of the wilderness, far away from the land God promised to give to them. READ 42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. 43 So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. Psalm 105:42-43 1 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. Exodus 15:1-3 REFLECT -Which promises of God help you to rejoice today? -In response, write or sing a prayer to celebrate God’s promises to you.
Day 17
God’s ways provide real joy and wisdom to humanity (see Psalm 19:7-8). But Satan aims to fool humanity into seeing their own ways as wise (see Genesis 3:6). It’s easy to get tricked because Satan’s deceptions usually reward us with a temporary pleasure. But when humans choose their own instructions over God’s, they cannot find the true and lasting joy they seek. READ 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Genesis 3:1-7 REFLECT -Compare and contrast the two passages of the day. What words and concepts are repeated in both passages? What do you notice? -Pray for renewed trust in God’s good motives towards you. Be honest with him about the ways you have disagreed with him or doubted him and ask for what you need to follow his leadership today.
Day 18
Israel chose their own path apart from God. As a result, they were exiled from their land and ruled by foreign nations. But the prophet Isaiah knew that sorrow and sadness would not have the final word. He looked forward to the day when Israel’s gracious God would raise up a redeemer to deliver them from oppression and lead them to eternal joy. READ 11 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11 13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13 REFLECT -Identify areas of your life that feel heavy right now. Slowly review today’s passages with those areas in mind. What thoughts or feelings come up as you reread? -Pray for God to comfort you with a renewed view of his eternal joy.
Day 19
The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the coming of Israel’s redeemer. His prophecies were fulfilled with the arrival of Jesus. This is why it is so significant that the angels announced Jesus’ birth as “good news that brings great joy.” READ 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:9-11 REFLECT -Why do you think the shepherds were afraid? -What reason did the angels give for them to rejoice instead? -What fears are you facing today? How can the angel’s good news about Jesus speak to those fears today? Let your reflections prompt a prayer to God now.
Day 20
Jesus teaches his followers saying, “when people reject you or persecute you for following me, rejoice, be very glad, because your reward is great in heaven.” We see in Jesus’ teaching that true joy can survive the harshest of circumstances because it is not dependent on circumstances. It is instead dependent on God and his promises for his people’s eternal future. READ 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:50-52 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 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. Do Not Grow Weary 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:1-3 REFLECT -According to these passages, how can joy be sustained even in painful and threatening circumstances? -Spend time reviewing Hebrews 12:1-3. Jesus endured great pain because he could see a greater joy beyond his suffering. In this passage, followers of Jesus are called to endure hardship with their sights set on Jesus; he becomes the joy set before them. What do you think it practically means to “fix your eyes on Jesus?” -Turn your reflections into a prayer from your heart to God.
Day 21
Biblical joy is a profound decision of faith and hope in the power of Jesus’ own life and love. When you believe that Jesus’ love has overcome death itself, joy becomes strangely reasonable even in the darkest of circumstances. This doesn’t mean you should ignore or suppress sorrow. That’s not healthy or necessary. Paul often expressed his grief over missing loved ones or his own freedom. He called it being full of sorrow and yet full of rejoicing. As he acknowledged his pain, he also made a choice to trust Jesus that his loss wouldn’t have the final word. READ 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10 REFLECT -Can you recall a time in your life when you were full of sorrow yet could still fully rejoice? If so, how would you describe that experience? -Take a moment now to pray to God. Thank him for his joy that can outlast the fiercest of pain. Invite him to teach you how to rejoice in the midst of suffering. Be honest with him about where you are struggling and ask him for what you need.