Joy Like A River

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #131aq Re-Written 15APR09

Save Me Today—Part Forty Three: Joy Like A River

by rev dave c

...The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men (Ro 14:17&18; NIV). For years God has repeatedly brought me back to these verses as a touchstone of truth. They are a reminder that I should be keeping the Kingdom of God at the forefront of my heart, my thoughts, and my actions. The stuff of this life, the things and desires and plans and fears and accomplishments and hurts, so quickly pass away—but the promises of God the Father that are realized in the person of God the Son through the power of God the Holy Spirit are eternal. In His love for us, Jesus Christ obediently became the willing substitutionary sacrifice for our sins so that the way to heaven might be opened through His spilled blood and broken body. How often do I lose sight of the Kingdom because I become engrossed in, embroiled over, and employed by “matters of eating and drinking” that are the pursuits, the conflicts, and the business of mortal flesh and blood?

Paul tells us that the Kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness. We are to lead holy lives because God is holy (Le 11:44&45; 1Pe 1:16). We are to be set apart from deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Co 2:8; NIV), and set apart for service in the kingdom of God (Lu 9:62; NIV). If we are living a righteous life before God and man, we will live peacefully with others (as far as we are able; Ro 12:18), we will have peace within our own souls (He 6:19), and we will know spiritual peace before God (Ro 5:1&2). If we are allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us into righteous living so that we experience “peace beyond understanding” (Ph 4:7), then we will truly know “inexpressible and glorious joy” (1Pe 3:8). Because this fallen world of corruption, conflict, and misery is starving and thirsting for righteousness, peace, and joy—could there be greater witness to the almighty power of God to change lives (yesterday, today, and forever) in the love of Christ and through the Holy Spirit?

In Romans 15:13 we are presented this blessing: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (NIV). We find this picture of overflowing with hope, with grace (Ro 5:15), with comfort (2Co 1:5), with thanksgiving (2Co 4:15; Co 2:7), with joy (2Co 8:2; Ph 1:26), with service (2Co 9:12), and with love (1Th 3:12) throughout the New Testament. What happens when a liquid overflows? It spills out and over and down and begins to seek the lowest levels. It is the same with righteousness, peace, and joy. As we begin to overflow with Godly attributes, the juice from the fruit of the Spirit [love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Ga 5:22&23; NIV)] begins to spill over into the world and immediately seeks the lowest levels of human existence where it is needed most. If through the Church, through us, people get a taste of the goodness of God [Taste and see that the LORD is good (Ps34:8; NIV)], they will want to know the source of that goodness. Peter tells us, ...in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1Pe 3:15; NIV). If people aren’t standing in line to ask me the reason for the hope that I have, perhaps it is because I am not living a life abundant in righteousness, peace, and joy.

Joy is not conditional. Joy does not depend upon the blessings of people, property, or programs. In fact, Scripture frequently points out that the most intense joy is experienced during times of greatest trials and need. And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will (2Cor. 8:1-5; NIV). You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit (1Th 1:6; NIV). Paul encourages us to Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1Th 5:16-18; NIV). Just as we must choose love, we must choose joy. Being saved today (to live within the Kingdom of God) is a matter of choosing Christ, and not the World—Christ, and not my feelings—Christ, and not my circumstances. Then I will know a flood of joy like a river overflowing that sweeps away all sorrow and pain—that irrigates the lowlands not just of my life, but for my neighbors as well.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1Pe 1:3-9; NIV). Amen.