Joyfulness
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIVUK
Now this might seem completely absurd. I mean, this church were being persecuted and divided. We're being beset by a deadly virus that kills thousands every day. How can we be joyful at a time like this? Surely that's impossible, right? And even if it is possible, is it appropriate? Is it the right thing to do?
Why would Paul tell the Philippians, a persecuted and divided church, to rejoice? Surely that's like playing Bobby McFerrin's well-known hit 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' at the intensive care unit at a hospital? It just seems so out of place.
And yet, it isn't. Joy is a reaction. It requires a cause. We can't go around with a forced grin on our face and pretend to be joyful when in fact we're dying inside with sorrow. That's something only crazy people do. Or circus clowns. Joy must have a basis - a reason to exist. Joy is a reaction to our situation. There are many references in the Bible to people rejoicing as a result of something good happening. For example: the Jews were commanded to rejoice during their festivals; Hannah rejoiced when she gave birth to Samuel; their kings and their people often rejoiced after victories in battle, and so on and so forth.
Yet Christians also know a different type of joy, one that comes not because of our situation, but seemingly in spite of it (James 1:1-4). You see, what we see here is not positive thinking. Positive thinking without any firm basis is just deceitful. It will only ever disappoint us.
Neither is it willing the situation better. Sheer force of will cannot ever work. This is far more. This is perspective.
This is finding something in a negative situation that changes our point of view and makes it more positive. This is giving us a reason to get out of bed in the morning, to keep living, to keep fighting. This is something that can cause us to thrive, and not just survive, in the midst of trouble.
Paul gives the Philippians something to change their perspective. And he does it with just three little, uncomplicated, unpretentious, single-syllabled words: "...in the Lord".
Our joy, our sense of positivity and optimism, our happiness must first and foremost be in the Lord. He is their source. He is their basis. He is their driver.
But how can that be? In the days of Nehemiah, with the city of Jerusalem still in ruins - although the temple and the walls had been rebuilt - and sparsely populated with people traumatised by war and poverty, the reading of the Law for the first time in more than seventy years provoked an interesting response:
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’
Nehemiah 8:9-10 NIVUK
The people had every reason to be sad. Their leaders had returned from exile to a nation on its knees. Their capital, envied and coveted throughout the Near East, was now even less than a construction site. Its people were mostly dirt poor. They were surrounded by enemies who actively sought their downfall. What's more, the reading of the Law made it plain that their situation was their fault entirely. They had sinned. They had worshipped idols. God had been entirely just in the punishment He had meted out on them.
Yet in the midst of poverty, enemies and destruction, Jeremiah told them that the joy of the Lord was their strength. That they could lift up their heads and be joyful in the midst of despair and conviction of sin if they found their joy in the Lord.
To another part of the persecuted church - the Jewish one - the writer to the Hebrews wrote this:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIVUK
You see, the Bible gives us three reasons for joy in the Lord. Firstly, what He has done in the past (Psalms 77:10-12; Psalms 105:1-6; Psalms 143:5-6). For us as Christians, we remember what He did for us by dying on the cross for our sins out of love for us and then rising from the dead. We also remember all He has done for us personally by taking care of us and providing for us.
Next we look to see what He is doing now. Sometimes we may have to look hard. But regardless of our situation, no matter how bad it is, God is always at work (John 5:17; Romans 8:28). Sometimes He is at work in ways we don't expect (Isaiah 43:18-19). Jesus promised He would be with us to the end of the age. He has not abandoned us, even now.
The last reason for joy in the Lord is what He will do for us in the future (1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 Peter 1:8-9). We believe that this is not the end. We believe that there is a way out. Tomorrow does not intimidate us. Our greatest enemy has been defeated!
Christians should be the happiest, most optimistic people on the planet. The fact that we are not, that we can even sing songs about joy with sad faces, says more about our lack of faith in God to do what He promised than it does anything else. And yes, I believe there is a right place and time for sadness. Even Jesus wept. However, our sadness should only ever be temporary. We have a hope that will not let us down. Let us rejoice in the Lord always! Even when it hurts.
If the first trait of good mental health is joyfulness, even in times of suffering, the second seems unusual. As verse 5 says:
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5
Gentleness? How can that be a trait of good mental health? Isn't it a sign of weakness? Wrong! However, the Greek word used here means a lot more than gentleness. It also means equitable, fair, patient, moderation. It means someone who doesn't leap to a harsh judgement quickly. Someone who is willing to listen and hear all sides of an argument before reaching their decision. Someone who isn't rash or hot-tempered. Or, as I've called it for the sake of the next meditation, REASONABLENESS.
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