The Kingdom of God is
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. That joy is
our strength.
Whether you are running full speed ahead,
walking by faith one day at a time, or just doing your best to crawl
to the next rest stop, the apostolic road is full of detours. To be
sure, Believer’s Boulevard is a narrow path with signposts that may
read, “Turn right just ahead for humbling,” or “Caution, major heart
work ahead!”
If we are going to live the crucified life, then, quite simply
stated, we need to be ready – and willing – to give ourselves to
change. We’ll find the journey much less painful if we keep our eyes
on the prize and rejoice along the road to ripeness.
Admittedly, that is sometimes easier said that done because change
first requires a recognition of our failure to measure up to the
fullness of the stature of Christ. That recognition can lead to
self-condemnation before we make our way to repentance if we forget
to rejoice in the Lord of our salvation. The Kingdom of God is
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:7). That
joy is our strength.
Remember when Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the
assembly? (Nehemiah 8) Like our church services today, Ezra’s
meeting started off with a little radical praise and worship. The
Bible says the people stood up, lifted up their hands, bowed their
heads and worshipped the Lord.
Then Ezra read from the Book of the Law from early morning until
noon. The people were paying close attention when suddenly something
unexpected happened: They got a revelation of how badly they were
missing the will of God and began to mourn. Thoroughly convicted of
their sin, the people began weeping in the face of their
transgression.
But Nehemiah, the set man, didn’t exclaim, “That’s right, you wicked
sinners. You should be crying after the way you’ve behaved!” No, the
apostolic leader instead gave quite different instructions. Nehemiah
told them not to mourn or weep. And Ezra told them, “Go your way,
eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for
whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be
not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength
and stronghold” (Nehemiah 8:10 AMP).
The leaders understood that without the joy of the Lord, the people
would not stand a chance of living up to the high standards of God’s
Law. Without the joy of the Lord the people would wallow in guilt
and grief that would ultimately hinder God’s purposes. Sure, soon
afterward the people gathered with fasting and sackcloth and
confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers (Nehemiah
9). But they did not abandon the joy of their salvation in the
process.
Radical rejoicing and deep repentance are worlds away and living the
crucified life will require us to do plenty of both as we change and
grow. But quick repentance – a change in thoughts that leads to a
change in action – allows us to quickly return the rejoicing that
will give us the strength to maintain the change that we wept about
in the first place.
Rejoice and once again I say rejoice! We can’t regret and we can’t
fear. Regret is an insult to the Lord because it implies that the
blood of Jesus is not good enough to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. Fear of failing again is just as bad because it
insinuates that His grace is not sufficient. Rejoicing brings Him
glory because it demonstrates faith and trust.
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How do we keep our joy in the face of failure? By believing and
obeying the Word of God. Who wouldn’t be consumed with joy after
reading of His magnificent promises? How could one grieve with the
knowledge that a blessing is in store for those who obey His Word?
Jesus promises if we keep His commandments, then we live in His
perfect love. God is love and in His presence is fullness of joy.
Yes, the devil comes to steal our joy because without joy we don’t
have the strength to stand in faith. Without joy we don’t have the
foundation to fight the good fight. Without joy we will stay out in
the wilderness longer than we have to. Without joy we cannot spread
the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, without joy
we won’t endure to the end.
Regardless of whether the path is smooth, slippery or rocky in
whatever season we find ourselves in, we must decide to be
overwhelmed with joy instead of getting overwhelmed with our need to
change, with circumstances or with anything else. We must take the
trouble with joy and take joy in the trouble and watch the fruit of
the Spirit erupt in our lives.
No matter if you are traveling to a foreign country on a mission
trip or to the grocery store to pick up some canned beans, determine
to have joy in the journey and know that God will back you up in
your decision with abundant grace to be transformed into His image.
“The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The
signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life
maps of God are right, showing the way to joy…” (Psalm 19:7-8 MSG).
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