Devotions ... Getting to joy

In the Old Testament, joy is a place whose pathways are strewn with tears. Psalm 126:5-6: “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

John shared a similar encouragement to women in John 16:20-21 where he compares a woman’s suffering in childbirth to the disciples’ experience of loss. “A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being is born into the world. 22: And ye (Disciples) now have sorrow: but I (Jesus) will see you again, and you will rejoice, and your joy no one can take from you. 23: And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Truly, I say unto you, Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24: So far you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full” 

Jesus, himself, chose joy as the prize of suffering. In Hebrews 12:1-3 we are cajoled to run with patience the race that is set before us, 2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3: For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, so you won’t grow weary or faint in your minds. 4: You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” We read of Jesus in Philippians chapter 2:1-10: Fulfill ye my joy, be likeminded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3: Let nothing be done through strife or pride; but in humility let each esteem other better than themselves … 5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus … he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death. 9: So God exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name: 10: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...

Three parables in Luke 15 urge us through diligence and perseverance to return to joy: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. Here we are encouraged of God’s joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 just people who do not need to repent, joy in heaven over one person who repents and is found like the lost coin and one son who is returned to his father after he suffers a life of tragedy having chosen to leave his father but is restored by the compassion of his family and there is JOY.

So Christmas, the birth of our Savior, is not without tears and trials but is completed when the angels sing to the shepherds, “Joy To the World” or Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of First Baptist Church of Greybull.)