by Wendy Elizabeth Middleton
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11
I choose Joy.
The world wants us to be terrified and is trying its best to destroy the peace that comes with the assurance of salvation. But even in the center of a crisis we can claim the joy and the peace of Jesus for it is His joy and His peace that he has given us.
My joy, My peace, I do not give to you as the world gives John 14:27; 15:11 The world gives peace when times are peaceful, Jesus gives peace when times are hectic. The world does not understand this peace and this joy because they do not know Jesus. But I do know Jesus and so in the times of crisis – I choose Joy!
“that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 “my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
His joy and His peace were both given to the disciples just before the crucifixion. Jesus was on his way to a horrible and painful death – and he knew it, yet he felt joy and peace in the face of what the world would consider a disaster.
How can this be? Because he was looking past the temporary into the eternal and that is where our vision should rest. Not on the here and now but on the there and then. My salvation is assured, my place in heaven is built, Jesus went to make my place and it is waiting for me.
I find great cause for joy in John chapters 15 and 16. Just before the crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples what was coming, His arrest and crucifixion, His death, their grief, His resurrection, their joy, His ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He was talking about the immediate future, but like so many passages the immediate echoes through the ages to today.
In John 15 Jesus begins with the image of the vine and the branches. Jesus is the vine, deeply rooted in the love that the Father has for us. We are the branches reaching out from the vine into the world. Because we are attached to the vine we are also deeply rooted in the love of the Father.
Because we are deeply rooted in the love of the Father we need not fear tomorrow – or today for that matter. God saw this coming and He planned for it. This did not catch him off guard and He will see us through.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17
God knows what you need. He knows that you need food and water, shelter and, well – toilet paper. The supply chains are open. And what stores were out of yesterday they have restocked today. This is America. Floods, and hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes have erupted and interrupted our lives. And we have met the challenges with hope and with help. This is no different.
Families, as you gather together in your homes support each other. Dig out the monopoly and scrabble boards and play together. Open the Bible and read together. The Bible is a great source of comfort and joy. Work together, spring clean, get some yard work done, find an online Bible study group – or start one.
And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10
When this is over, and it will be for no plague lasts forever, we will return to life outside our homes with singing, a sigh of relief, gladness and joy will overtake us, sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Again Jesus said these words while facing the crucifixion, and even though he was not happily facing His death, He did face the trial set before Him joyfully, because He knew that this trial would mean our salvation. We may not be happy about our current circumstances, but we may face them joyfully because we know that this trial will mean that fewer of our friends and neighbors will be exposed to this virus. Our self-control will literally save lives!
I applaud all of the doctors and nurses, the paramedics and the firemen, the National Guard and military, who are deploying; not for war but rather to bring medical supplies where they are needed most. I find joy in the situation, and take comfort in that joy. My joy is greater than this temporary crisis can destroy because my joy is unspeakable, inexpressible and glorious, for I am receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence Psalms 16:11
God is with me. I am filled with joy in His presence.
I choose Joy.
The world wants us to be terrified and is trying its best to destroy the peace that comes with the assurance of salvation. But even in the center of a crisis we can claim the joy and the peace of Jesus for it is His joy and His peace that he has given us.
My joy, My peace, I do not give to you as the world gives John 14:27; 15:11 The world gives peace when times are peaceful, Jesus gives peace when times are hectic. The world does not understand this peace and this joy because they do not know Jesus. But I do know Jesus and so in the times of crisis – I choose Joy!
“that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 “my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
His joy and His peace were both given to the disciples just before the crucifixion. Jesus was on his way to a horrible and painful death – and he knew it, yet he felt joy and peace in the face of what the world would consider a disaster.
How can this be? Because he was looking past the temporary into the eternal and that is where our vision should rest. Not on the here and now but on the there and then. My salvation is assured, my place in heaven is built, Jesus went to make my place and it is waiting for me.
I find great cause for joy in John chapters 15 and 16. Just before the crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples what was coming, His arrest and crucifixion, His death, their grief, His resurrection, their joy, His ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He was talking about the immediate future, but like so many passages the immediate echoes through the ages to today.
In John 15 Jesus begins with the image of the vine and the branches. Jesus is the vine, deeply rooted in the love that the Father has for us. We are the branches reaching out from the vine into the world. Because we are attached to the vine we are also deeply rooted in the love of the Father.
Because we are deeply rooted in the love of the Father we need not fear tomorrow – or today for that matter. God saw this coming and He planned for it. This did not catch him off guard and He will see us through.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17
God knows what you need. He knows that you need food and water, shelter and, well – toilet paper. The supply chains are open. And what stores were out of yesterday they have restocked today. This is America. Floods, and hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes have erupted and interrupted our lives. And we have met the challenges with hope and with help. This is no different.
Families, as you gather together in your homes support each other. Dig out the monopoly and scrabble boards and play together. Open the Bible and read together. The Bible is a great source of comfort and joy. Work together, spring clean, get some yard work done, find an online Bible study group – or start one.
And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10
When this is over, and it will be for no plague lasts forever, we will return to life outside our homes with singing, a sigh of relief, gladness and joy will overtake us, sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Again Jesus said these words while facing the crucifixion, and even though he was not happily facing His death, He did face the trial set before Him joyfully, because He knew that this trial would mean our salvation. We may not be happy about our current circumstances, but we may face them joyfully because we know that this trial will mean that fewer of our friends and neighbors will be exposed to this virus. Our self-control will literally save lives!
I applaud all of the doctors and nurses, the paramedics and the firemen, the National Guard and military, who are deploying; not for war but rather to bring medical supplies where they are needed most. I find joy in the situation, and take comfort in that joy. My joy is greater than this temporary crisis can destroy because my joy is unspeakable, inexpressible and glorious, for I am receiving the goal of my faith, the salvation of my soul. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence Psalms 16:11
God is with me. I am filled with joy in His presence.
I don’t know what tomorrow holds. I don’t have to, for the Lord holds the future in His hands. The sun will rise. The dust will settle. The engines of society may grind to a halt, but society will survive. Neighbors are reaching out, through the Internet, and needs are being met. Stores that were out of milk yesterday, have milk today. God will save us from this peril if He chooses to – and if not – God is still God (Daniel 3:17-18) and God HAS saved us for eternity through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Simple – Ain’t – Easy
Sometimes life is scary
But God is with us, even now
Wendy
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