Pastor’s Corner: “Anchor of joy”
1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) – 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Everyone is looking for joy. Marketing companies know this. Every commercial promises the same product. Want some joy? Buy our hand cream. Want some joy? Sleep on this mattress. Want some joy? Eat at this restaurant, drive this car, wear this dress. Every commercial portrays the image of a joy-filled person. Even Preparation H. Before using the product, the guy frowns and squirms in his chair. Afterwards, he is the image of joy.
Joy. Everyone wants it and everyone promises it. But can anyone deliver it? It might surprise you to know that joy is a big topic in the Bible. Simply put: God wants his children to be joy-filled. The joy offered by God is different than the one promised at the car dealership or shopping mall. God is not interested in putting a temporary smile on your face. He wants to anchor a permanent hope in your heart. It is not a shallow happiness that melts in the heat of adversity. It is a deep-seated, heart-felt joy that can weather the most difficult of storms. Interested?
Peter refers to this joy in the opening scripture (I Peter 1:8-9). Who was Peter addressing when he spoke of unspeakable joy? He was speaking to God’s chosen people who were away from their homes and scattered all around the countries of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (I Pet. 1:1). Peter was speaking to persecuted Christians–people who had been driven from their cities, separated from their families. Their rights had been taken. Their property had been taken. Their possessions had been taken. Their futures had been taken, but their joy had not been taken. Why? Let us go back to I Peter 1:8, this time in another translation: “You have never seen Jesus and you don’t see him now. But still you love him and have faith in him” (I Pet. 1:8). The source of their joy is JESUS! And since no one could take their Jesus, no one could take their joy.
What about you? What has been taken from you? Your health? Your house? Your dreams? A marriage? Maybe you have buried a loved one or a friend? Is your joy buried with these losses? If so, you may have substituted courageous joy for conditional joy. Conditional joy is always dependent upon a circumstance. It says I’ll be happen when…or…I’ll be happy if. I’ll be happy when I have a new house or a new spouse. I’ll be happy when I’m healed or when I’m home. Conditional joy depends upon the right circumstance. Since we cannot control every circumstance, we set ourselves up for disappointment.
Courageous joy sets the hope of the heart on Jesus and Jesus alone. Since no one can take your Christ, no one can take your joy. Think about it. Can death take your joy? No, because Jesus is greater than death. Can failure take your joy? No, because Jesus is greater than your sin. Can betrayal take your joy? No, because Jesus will never leave you. Can sickness take your joy? No, because God has promised– whether on this side of the grave or the other–to heal you. Can disappointment take your joy? No, because though your plan may not work out, you know God’s plan will.
Christians of the New Testament church were not known for their buildings or denominations or programs. THEY WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR JOY. “They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. They praised God and were liked by all people” (Acts 2:46-47). Assess your joy level: Are you joyless? Do you spread more pessimism than you do hope? If so, God can help you. Grimness is not a Christian virtue. Believe that joy is possible! Ask God, “Lord, what is separating me from joy?” Ask him to replace your conditional joy with courageous joy. Ask him to help you anchor to the firm rock on His shoreline. Ask him to show you the joy that cannot be taken. He will. He will stir a revival of contagious joy in your heart.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton