Jimmy, an avid golfer, came home from the course one Saturday. His wife asked him with whom he had played that day. He said, “Oh, no one in particular.” She asked, “Why don’t you play with Bill anymore?” Jimmy replied, “Would you like to play golf with someone who throws his clubs, swears all the time, lies about his scores, moves his ball in the rough, and won’t stop talking while you’re trying to play a shot?” “Of course not!” she said. Jimmy said, “Well, neither does Bill.”
Judging by the number of miserable faces in the world, we have to conclude that there is a major deficiency of joy in the souls of man. Sadness is the lot of the many.
For the Christian there is a ‘Joy Test’ available. If you want to know if you have the ‘Joy of the Lord,’ answer this simple question: “Are you rejoicing in the Lord?”
James says you can rejoice as you negotiate the difficult circumstances of everyday life (Jm.1:2). What prevents this rejoicing from being the norm is a mind full of doubts. A faith built on shifting sand will be blown away. It has to be built on Christ—the Rock!
A faith that can issue forth in a stream of joy is a faith that can be defended before “everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1Pet.3:15). Peter speaks of the impact of such a faith upon us: “Though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1Pet.1:8)
It is then that we will rejoice in the face of trials and temptations. A strong faith is a rejoicing faith. Only then can we appreciate Jesus’ words about persecution in His name: “Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven” (Lk.6:23).
Rejoice in the Lord always!
John Staiger
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