Happiness is superficial and fleeting. True Christian joy remains unchallenged by the caprice of circumstances. It is, as Peter calls it, a “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pe. 1:8).
This is a Joy that is as powerful as it is unshakable. A joy that runs this deep, is often forged in a furnace of affliction and suffering.
Joy is not purely a human emotion. It is a deep down confidence in the sovereignty of God. It is based upon the sure conviction that God is in control of everything for His glory and our ultimate—not perceived—good so that all is well in any and every situation.
God is active in all our suffering.
Adoniram Judson, the first overseas missionary from America, went to India and then Burma. During that time he suffered a horrible imprisonment for a year and a half and lost his wife and children to disease. Here is a summary of his perspective:
“If I had not felt certain that every trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings.”
Trust requires belief. You must believe.
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13).
You can know joy even in a veil of tears.
There is abundant joy in the presence of the Lord both on earth and in heaven. Here in part; there in full. In this life joy is mixed with sorrow, fear and frustration like thorns on the rose. In heaven, joy is pure.
In constant nearness to God, that is where our joy is made full. Ps 16:11, Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fulness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.
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