Joy: A Glimpse Beyond the Present

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Hebrews 12: 1-3

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking 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.

Do Not Grow Weary

3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Part of our Savior’s endurance sprang from the “the joy that was set before him.” Joy was a fuel for him. It was anchored in hope and the assurance that some future expectation would be wonderfully fulfilled. We can learn much from examining the life of the Savior. It is true that the scriptures called him a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” but he was also a man of deep gratitude and joy for all that the Father was to him! He had gratitude when God entrusted him with anything and lived to please Him. Imagine if we had such a disposition at all times. For him, joy was a glimpse beyond the present circumstances and situations he encountered. He rejoiced in what God was doing in and through them.
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Well obviously we are not Jesus and will never get this thing figured out perfectly; nor, will we have such burdens placed on us. It’s difficult to comprehend joy in the midst of tribulation, but as Christians, God has placed it in us. It is paradoxical, not contradictory. Joy springs from times of remembrance, and by looking to someone beyond the vicissitudes of this life. The Spirit summons us to look to Jesus in all things and to give thanks for him being with us, no matter what we go through. He will never leave us or forsake us. His election is sure. We have joy in that always.

A Caution

Joy is not something we should simply manufacture with platitudes and sayings, such as count your blessing or look on the bright side. I have seen a myriad of people qouting inappropriate scriptures and references toward others when they are engaged in powerful life struggles. Their approach is simply wrong. No amount of pet scriptures can soothe pain or suffering simply because they are quoted. We should urge people to look to the one who cares for them; even when they believe he may not. Joy springs from an eternal relationship birthed by the will of a sovereign God who chose to give us immortality and adopt us into his family. Our joy will be complete when we see him. For now let us rejoice in the measure we have and let us look past our current circumstances to the joy set before us!

John Piper has a great teaching on his website Desiring God breaks this down further.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/the-fruit-of-hope-joy

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