Someone asked me not long ago to preach a lesson on the joy of being a Christian. I've preached lessons like this in the past. Usually, I focus on the blessings that we have in Christ. Of course, Ephesians 1:3 says that all spiritual blessings are in Christ, so I usually begin there and build on that idea. I discuss the fact that the church is a blessing, not a burden; that prayer, likewise, is a wonderful privilege that we have. Then I talk about the value of the word of God, and of course, I deal with the peace that we can have because our sins are forgiven in Christ. Indeed, when you take all of this into consideration, it is a great joy to be a Christian.
But as I've read the beginning chapters of Job this morning, new light has been shed on the subject. Yes, we as Christians have joy because of all the things God has blessed us with, but the greatest sense of joy comes in simply knowing that we serve an awesome God.
In Job 1, we are introduced to Job who was "blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil" (1:1). In other words, Job respected and deeply appreciated the authority and power of God (I would suggest that it was Job's fear of God that motivated him to shun evil, and not the other way around). Then, we find a scene in which Satan comes, along with the sons of God, to appear before God. God asked Satan, "'Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?' to which Satan replied, 'Does Job fear God for nothing?'" (1:8-9). Satan believed that Job's faith was superficial, that he only served God because God had blessed him with riches and comfort.
God allows Satan to test Job and I tell you what, Satan did a number on this faithful man. He caused the Sabeans to steal Job's livestock and kill his servants (1:14-15). He caused fire to rain from heaven and destroy his sheep and some of his other servants (1:16). Satan then caused the Chaldeans to steal his camels and kill more of Job's servants, and finally, he caused the wind to blow a house down on top of Job's children, killing them (1:18). Think about it. Everything Job had was taken from him. His wealth, his servants and his children were all taken from him in a very short period of time. Can you imagine the pain and heartache that Job felt?
But how did Job react?
"Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed by the name of the Lord.' In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong" (1:21-22).
In the midst of the trial of his life, Job found comfort in God. In fact, he worshiped God; he acknowledged His power and sovereignty.
What is the point? The point is that, as children of God, our joy does not come primarily from the things God gives us in this life. Sure, God takes care of us, and that is a blessing. But our greatest joy comes in knowing that God is in control, that He loves us and cares for us, and that we can always find rest in Him. When everything was taken away from Job, he found comfort in God. While his wealth and his family provided him with joy, that joy was ultimately rooted in God.
So what about the church, the word, and the avenue of prayer?
The church is a blessing because, in the church, we can band together with other Christians to acknowledge and worship God. The Bible is a blessing because it allows us to learn more about the awesome God we serve and His plan for us. Prayer is a blessing, not so much because God answers prayer (although He does), but because we are able to communicate to the almighty God who made the heavens and the earth. You see, the joy and comfort that we derive from these things ultimately is rooted in the fact that we serve an almighty God. So the joy is not in having but in knowing.
Don't think that just because you go to church, pray and read your Bible that you're automatically going to have joy. You must first obtain joy by fearing and adoring God. Then everything else will fall into place.
That helps me today. I hope it helps you.
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