(Just as a reminder--
Reflection #1: Joy comes from God
Reflection #2: Joy comes from rich fellowship
Now moving forward...
A striking trend is seen in the OT references to “joy” and “rejoice”. Here you see John Piper is right, and many who have gone before him. Yet when you read these verses for yourself, it hits you fresh:
Reflection #3: Joy is commanded
Lev. 23:40: “You shall rejoice before the Lord…”
Dt. 12:7, 12 18: “Rejoice in ALL your undertakings…”
Dt. 14:26: “As you eat in the presence of the Lord, rejoice.”
Dt. 26:11: “You shall rejoice in all the good the Lord has given you.”
*Dt. 28:47:
The first question this leads me to is:
The second is: Knowing the obvious struggles and despondencies of our hearts in this life, how can we possibly consistently obey this command?
3 comments:
Biblical example of rejoicing in the midst of hardship:
From chapter 2 of "When I Don't Desire God" by Piper. This is a good quote that applies in many struggles.
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One of the most remarkable expressions of delighting or rejoicing in God is found in Habakkuk 3:17-18.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
In other words, when all the supports of human life and earthly happiness are taken away, God will be our delight, our joy. This experience is humanly impossible. No ordinary person can speak in truth like this. If God alone is enough to support joy when all else is lost, it is a miracle of grace.
Thanks, Miki! This is a great quote. Jim & I love Piper and his God-centered uniqueness in the midst of our me-centered culture.
my first thought after reading the questions was of His GREAT love for us. not profound just that THAT is HOW MUCH He loves us...to command us to do what He knows is best (most healthful spiritually, emotionally, physically)for us- to rejoice in Him, to be full of one of the qualities of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. to command this is SO loving! to tell us what is best for us knowing we can Only do it (obey Him) by His power and through His provision and that it's Done (His work that is)- His Spirit does indwell every believer in Jesus empowering them, filling them, allowing them to live the abundant Life Jesus died for us to have. maybe it's just midnight-brain oversimplifing complex spiritual questions, but I'm just simply struck by how LOVING that is of Him.
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