Longing for Joy

INTRO — Thank you for praying for us as we were in Israel…WEDNESDAY WAS NOT A GREAT DAY (EXPLAIN) but it didn’t steal our joy!

Confession - not the sermon I was planning to preach - but God reminded me around 5:30 the other morning that God’s story and plan are much bigger than mine…we’ve got a story to tell, don’t we?!?!

I’m fully aware that in this room this morning there is someone whose JOY is under attack. The world around you is singing “Joy to the World” and really living it up in the “Christmas spirit” and joy and you’re living in defeat not really experiencing the joy of the Lord - the joy of Christmas.

One of the things we’re guilty of is settling for joy’s cheap substitute - happiness. Happiness is circumstantial. Joy goes much deeper.

Happiness happens to me. Joy abides in me.

Happiness happens to me. Joy happens within me.

Zechariah 2:1–13 ESV

And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ” Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the Lord. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the Lord. Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And the Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.” Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

CONTEXT - “The Already but Not Yet” — Right here, in the middle of it all, God commands his people to “rejoice.” Maybe they didn’t feel like rejoicing.

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Joy

The experience of deliverance and the anticipation of salvation provide the most significant occasions for rejoicing among the people of God in the OT. The coming of the Messiah, who delivers his people and brings salvation becomes the basis for rejoicing in the NT. The response of joy, gladness, or happiness is not only a deep inward feeling, but is expressed in celebration when God’s people gather together.

I will remind you that we are a lot like the people of Israel - “already but not yet.” You might be here today and for whatever reason you don’t “feel like rejoicing.” You know the gospel, you’re trying hard to walk with the Lord, you know He’s coming again but in the meantime, life is hard. Again, your joy is under attack. Trust me…on Wednesday I certainly didn’t feel like rejoicing!

My joy must be rooted in objective truth.

My joy must be rooted in the unfailing character and promises of God.

John 16:20–22 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

John 16:20-

My joy must be rooted in an abiding relationship with God.

John 15:9–11 ESV

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:4 ESV

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.