Joy to the World the Lord is Come
Christmas looks back at God’s promise of our Saviour, our Redeemer Jesus Christ. It also looks forward to when he shall come again as king of kings and Lord of Lords.
Joy to the World was written by Isaac Watts when he was inspired to rejoice about the ultimate victory…. when we shall see him as he is… for eye hath not seen nor ear heard the things that God has prepared for them that love him.
Joy and rejoicing in the Lord is not the result of a fleeting momentary feeling… instead, joy is a command… Rejoice evermore… pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. For this is the will of the Lord concerning you. The commandment of Jesus Christ is that my joy may be in you. Jesus said, ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full.
Joy is The theme of the book of Philippians. Warren Wiersby says that In each of the four chapters, there is a thief that will steal your joy. Whereas happiness depends on circumstances, joy is not happy happenstances, rather, as Suzan said, Joy is not the absence of pain, but the presence of the Lord. Regardless of the tribulations of this world, our joy is in the Lord. He is our comfort and strength, he is our sufficiency in all things… he is our all in all, working all things together for good to those who love him.
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were preaching in the city of Philippi and Lydia, a prominent business woman, a seller of purple invited them to stay in her house. While Paul and Silas were teaching, a young slave girl followed them around. This slave girl was possessed with a devil spirt and her masters used her to make money by fortune telling. Paul and Silas cast out the devil spirit. When her masters found out, they realized that they had lost their source of income so they instigated an uprising against Paul and Silas in the town square. In the midst of the riot, the authorities took Paul and Silas, threw them into prison and charged them for inciting the riot. In jail, Paul and Silas were singing praises to God when the doors of the prison were miraculously opened.
Paul said, despite tribulation and persecution, my joy is in the Lord. Joy is a deliberate, purposeful, and intentional choice. Paul’s mission and commission was to live his life “as it becometh the gospel of Christ… for we preach not ourselves but Jesus Christ and him crucified to deliver us from sin and the consequences of sin.
If you are not joyful, then you have allowed one of the four joy-thieves to steal your joy. The joy thief in the first chapter of Philippians is people…. Who is it that has hurt and wounded you and you have built up anger and resentment against them. This root of bitterness will steal your joy. Who have you hurt whom you did not ask for forgiveness? The blessing is focusing on ourselves instead seeking to forgive and bless others… People will disappoint you. If you look at others you’ll be distressed. If you look into the mirror, you’ll be depressed, but if you look to the Lord you will be blessed. Every relationship in this life will end in sorrow except one. However God has said, whatever comes to pass, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
In Chapter 2, the joy thief is strife and division in the church. We experience the Joy of the Lord when we are joined together in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. When we forsake our selfish pride and look unto the Lord, old things have passed away and behold all things have become new. Philippians 2:2 says, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
God is the God of new beginnings. Contrary to popular opinion, the trials of life are a blessing…. James 1:2-4 says, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. According to Romans 5, for tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed because the Holy Spirit is given to you. Through the he trials of his refining fire, God will reveal his true character in us. He will teach us the meaning of hope and love. He will prove his nature in us in the fire, by the fire and through the fire.
In Chapter 3, the joy thief is things. What is it that you hold dear… what do you value in this life. Paul said, whatsoever things I have counted gain for me, I count them but rubbish that I may gain Christ. Therefore treasure treasures in heaven and not treasures upon earth. Everything that is seen is here today and gone tomorrow… This too shall pass. Everything in this world will come to naught. The things of this world will soon be past, only that which is done in Christ shall last.
In Chapter four, the joy thief is worry. Therefore rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice. Let your kindness and yieldingness in insignificant things be made known unto all men, the Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Rejoicing in the Lord is a command. It is a choice to rejoice, not in the things of this world, but in the Lord….. he is the same yesterday, today and forever. His joy transcends the fleeting broken relationships, trials, and things of this world.
Joy thieves relentlessly pursue us without mercy. In our own power we have no defense against the adversary, the thief who comes to steal, kill and to destroy. However, When we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ we will fulfill his purpose that we might have life more abundantly. When we walk in the light as he is in the light the blood of Jesus Chrsit will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Despite the troubles of this world, what shall separate us from the love of Christ…. shall tribulation, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Therefore, Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King….
That we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
