When we are talking about having joy, we’re not talking about being giddy or silly. We’re not talking about something that is funny. Nor are we talking about trying to make ourselves happy. It is not a matter that we try to generate joy because it is a good idea.
Our text is very similar to what Paul wrote in Philippians 4. He declared that he could do all things through Christ which strengthened him. Prior to that verse, he told of the horrible things that happened to him. He anchored himself in trust.
Our text, likewise, in the previous verses outlined the bad things of life. He shared his predicament for that which would normally sustain his life even to the basics of food. He says, “yet.” In other words, even with all of these things happening around me, I will have joy.
This kind of joy is based on trust of the Lord. It looks beyond the current circumstances. It looks ahead to what God has in store. Even in the present, joy is generated not because of how we think or what we decide. It is because of who God is. It is a partner with the kind of faith that says I’m safe in his hands. Because I am safe, I can have joy.
This is contentment, not in circumstances because we are prone to look for what is happening and having cause to despair. This is what we talk to ourselves about. We must avoid concentrating on the negative in favor of God’s positive. What is that positive? It is like Job said, “though he slay me yet will I serve him.” No man had more miserable life than him. For all of these men that are mentioned in this blog, have one thing in common. They looked to God.
You may be in a bad situation. Through that situation God may want to teach you something. Because of that situation, God will be glorified. There may be a blessing ahead that is waiting for you to snatch up after you endure. Perhaps because of your situation, God is using you to be an example to others for their encouragement. That is not to say that we seek out problems in life. It is to say even in spite of them.
Know that you can have joy because God loves you. He planned in eternity with him. Do not take his love for granted. Know that everything happening is because of his love. Even though Israel experienced many years of slavery and hardship, it was because of God’s love. He wanted to establish a new nation on this earth. He needed a population for that new nation. In building a population, the people experienced horrendous things including beatings and death. However, God was still working behind the scenes to bring forth Moses at the exact right time.
Let us copy the saints of old who’s trust and dependency on God was so great that regardless of anything they could still have joy. My friend, whatever circumstances in which you find yourself, you can still have joy because you have God.
Christian Writer 