Everyday we live is a day lived in a fallen world relating to fallen people. This is most clearly recognized on tough days and in hard situations. Sin has had, does have, and will have its impact. We are not in the garden any longer, but rather, we live “east of Eden.” Sometimes it is hard to not simply sigh in agreement with the bumper sticker that says, “Life is hard, and then you die.”
Where Do We Find Our Joy?
How then can we not become cynical and fatalistic? How do we avoid living joyless lives? Where do we find strength to persevere, to strive for that which is good and right and noble? Even more, where can we find joy in living, so that our lives are characterized by more than the ongoing, willful endurance of pain and sorrow? In the midst of life in a fallen world, where do we find strength, and joy, both of which are hallmarks of the Christian life?
Joy Is Our Strength
There are two specific passages of scripture that make the answer very clear. First, these words from Nehemiah 8:10, “…. the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Think about those words for a moment. God’s joy is our strength. When we are moving toward that which God takes delight, we find strength for the journey. He knows what is best for us, and He desires only our good, so He certainly would not give us strength to move in ways that would be bad for our lives. Strength comes through walking obediently with God.
Shared Joy with the Father
The other passage of Scripture is found in Matthew 25. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus says the servant who is faithful with what the master entrusted to them will give the Master great joy. In addition, the servant is invited to enter into the joy of the Master. In the story, the Master responds to the servant with the affirmation, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” That affirmation is followed immediately by an invitation, “…enter into the joy of your Master!” I have always loved the truth revealed in this passage of Scripture, namely that we can bring joy to our Master. The faithful servant who serves well will bring joy to the Lord. This is not based on the level of fruitfulness or productive results, but on our obedience to serve as the Lord instructs and equips us. When we are “good and faithful” in our service, it brings joy to the Lord, and He in turn, invites us to enter into His joy.
Joy Through Faithful Obedience
We find not only strength for the journey, but joy in the midst of the fallenness of the world, through simple, faithful obedience in the service of our King. This brings joy to the Lord, and we are invited to enter into His joy. And the joy of the Lord is our strength! Regardless of the difficulties of life in a fallen world, “serve the Lord with gladness,” for in so doing, you will find strength and joy for every day.
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.