Rejoice during sorrow, be joyful during trials
In my last article I spoke about being weary. Now I want to talk about JOY. Is it possible to be weary and joyful at the same time? I have had several surgeries, and while I didn’t enjoy the prospect of going under the surgeon’s knife, yet I rejoiced that I soon would be relieved of the problem that was afflicting me. Evelyn and I have recently been undergoing a situation that has caused us much worry and consternation. But we rejoice that the situation has been resolved to our benefit. I’m sure everyone reading this can relate to what I am saying. We all have worries; we all grow weary of everyday problems.
But in the midst of these worries we can have JOY. Really? How? John 15:11: “These things I have spoken to you, that my JOY may be in you, and that your JOY may be full.” John 16:20: “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into JOY.” What is Jesus talking about? How can we have JOY in the midst of sorrow?
Psalm 34:1-3: “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.” David proclaimed these words while he was being pursued by Saul, who intended to kill him. How could he rejoice at such a dangerous time? Simply because he trusted in God. He knew that whatever happened to him on this earth, a more wonderful world awaited him, and in that he trusted. And so he rejoiced, knowing a better life awaited him.
We also can rejoice in the midst of worries and sorrows, because we know that this world will not last forever. The day is coming when we will leave this world. What happens then is contingent upon where our faith lies today. If all our faith and trust is upon worldly wealth and security, eternal life will be separate from God. If all our faith and trust is upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, eternal life will be one of JOY and happiness with God in his eternal kingdom.
Jesus died on the cross, paying the penalty that must be paid for sin: death. He died, taking all our sin upon his body, paying the penalty that we deserve. Then he rose from the dead, victorious over death, and assures us that trusting in him, believing that he died for our sin, we also are victorious over death, we also will rise to new life with him. In this promise David, Paul, and all the saints in the Holy Scriptures placed their faith. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This does not mean the worries and troubles of this world melt away. We will still have our daily cares and worries. Our bodies will still grow old and be full of trouble. But we have JOY knowing this is not the end of everything. God has promised us a better life to come, and we are called to endure this present life until God calls us home.
Paul wrote the following words from prison (Philippians 2:17-18): “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Paul can rejoice and be glad even while in prison, because he knows the time is short for him, and a new and glorious life awaits him.
May we also rejoice even in times of sorrow. Our time is short: the day is soon coming when we will rejoice in the presence of God and our Savior Jesus Christ where we will spend an eternity of JOY.