A Reflection on Joy and Delight
Isaiah 62:4 It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; But you will be called, “My delight is in her,” And your land, “Married“; For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be wed.
Introduction
This morning I want to look at the Biblical notions of Joy and Delight.
Why?
Think about it: we are constantly confronted with the troubles that surround us living in a broken and hostile world. Not only that, in our own lives/walk, we are ever reminded of our own sins, weakness, and brokenness FN#1.
The result is that inside and out sometimes it seems all we find is struggle and sorrow. As such, amid the challenges of everyday life, we often lose sight of the joy, security, and delight that are ours in Christ.
However, when we turn to Scripture what we find is that God intends Joy and Delight to be essential and constant aspects of the Christian life. Therefore, this morning I want us to be reminded of their centrality
A] First, joy and delight (along with love) tell us something essential about the very character of God. Notice then, a simple glance at the manifold spender, textured variety, and majesty of creation reminds us that their Creator is a God of abundant joy and delight.
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made. (Acts 14:16-17)
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will rejoice over you with loud singing. (Isa 61:10; Heb 12:2)
Importance: Joy and Delight are not first and foremost an attitude; nor are they based on our efforts to muster up happy feelings or a positive outlook. Instead, Joy and Delight are an external reality (based on the very heart of God). In fact, it is Joy and Delight that have woven together the very fabric of existence.
B] Second, Joy and Delight tell us something fundamental about God’s disposition towards you and His intentions for you. Simply put, God has made you and redeemed you to share in His joy.
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Isaiah 61:10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; Because He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isa 62:4; Rev 21:2)
Simply put: our Joy is based on and is a reflection of God’s Joy towards us
C] Notice the results:
1. First, Joy and delight (along with love) define the central motivation of your walk with God. In other words, your walk/obedience/following is not to be motivated by fear and uncertainty. Rather, it is to be motivated by love and delight.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
2. Second, while happiness and pleasure are fleeting, the Joy and delight that God gives are more real and enduring than our situations. In fact, God intends Joy and Delight to sustain and guide you through the difficulties you face. How? They ground you on what is most real about your circumstance
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
3. Finally, Joy and Delight speak directly to our future. In other words, the joy and delight that are already ours in Christ right now point ahead to the nature of the new life that will be ours in full at Christ’s return FN#2. Notice then, it is Joy and Delight (not sorrow or despair) that endure and therefore are to be our point of navigation
Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are delights forever.
Bottom line: Joy and Delight are two of the chief tools that God has given us to navigate the difficulties of this fallen world- not because they ignore or falsify a situation. Rather, it is because they reflect God’s heart and intentions towards us. As such, Joy and Delight are the undergirding disposition of a heart facing God. Therefore, listen to what they tell you, go to where they point you, and give heed to their council over that of despair.
Footnote
1] Yes we need to repent. And no we do not take that lightly. Nothing in this sermon should be construed to say otherwise. However, remember Jesus teaches us that our response to the Gospel is to be twofold. We are to repent and believe. That is, we are to acknowledge our sins and also receive/believe God’s Solution. This morning we are focusing on the second part of this equation. We are looking at the results/impact of God’s solution in the repentant believer’s life.
2] It is worth noting that the stability and permanence of joy and delight (when compared to the transient nature of mere pleasure and passion) also point to the enduring future of joy and delight
John 16:22 “Therefore you too now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.