♪A Note of Thanks ♪
“You now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and your joy no one will take from you.” John 16:22
Do you know people who have a cheerful disposition? They are happy and make you laugh. Their smile radiates love and joy. But then there are others who are melancholy and seem to be sad. When having conversations with them, they seem to have lots of problems, perhaps health, finance, family, job situations and other things that deter them from having joy. And who can deny that afflictions in life are discouraging. Sometimes we are faced with many problems that come our way, caring for aging parents, getting our children grown up and through college and into productive lives, ongoing health problems and the stress of life in general. God’s Word, meditation and prayer, receiving encouragement by friends and loved ones, having a song on our heart, eating healthy food, exercising daily and re-focusing to help others will begin to take that sadness away. His Light will pierce through your darkness and drive away the sadness and bring Joy!
We have to agree that not everyone is blessed with a bright outlook on life. We need to remember that joy is one of the gifts Jesus promised to His followers. When we encounter difficulties in life, we need to resist any tendency to let sadness dominate our emotional lives.
Jesus promised His disciples on the night Judas betrayed Him, “Your joy no one can take from you” (John 16:22). Remember that joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who indwells us (Galatians 5:22). Let us ask the Lord to help us look beyond the sorrow and grief that we sometimes face and encourage our hearts by the vision of joy that awaits us:
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (English Standard Version)
You alone, Lord Jesus, can true joy impart,
For You know the sorrow of the human heart;
You came here from glory many hearts to win,
And in love for sinners suffered once for sin.
-Anonymous
Do you remember this little chorus? I learned it in the Beginners Sunday School Class of Hillcrest Baptist Church when I was a little boy:
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart.
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart.
Down in my heart to stay.
It is a joy to serve along-side you,
Your friend,
Mark David Jackson
