When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy. – (Psalm 94:19, NIV)
I was very worried and upset, but You comforted me and made me happy! – (Psalm 94:19, ERV)
When anxiety overtakes me and worries are many, Your comfort lightens my soul. – (Psalm 94:19, VOICE)
In this second week of Advent, the focus shifts to joy. In the context of Christmas, the joy of the world has come. I appreciate the reminder in this verse, as anxiety and worries have been an ongoing battle within me for the last few weeks. The space of waiting between a diagnosis and the procedure to solve it is long. Unknowns bring concern, and waiting makes anxiety increase. However, when God’s joy rises, anxiety slips away. The two cannot coexist. When one is in the forefront, the other fades into the background. Joy is the great delight in something good, and when we know Jesus, we always have something good to delight in, thus joy dwells within us. The challenge is to not lose sight of the joy we know in Jesus. Challenges, trials, heartache and hurt all try to steal our joy, yet Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured it all. He knew the hope held in eternity, and the knowing is what brings joy. Though we know not what tomorrow will bring, we can be certain, and find joy, in the promises of all that is yet to come and in the ongoing presence of our Savior. May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him took all upon Himself so that we might know true joy in and through Him.
Joy’s always present,
If we look around;
Evidence of God,
Is easily found.
Because Jesus came,
On the cross, bore all;
Hope is forever,
Through Him joy’s installed.
As we fix our eyes,
On Jesus alone;
Anxieties flee,
And joy is made known.
So, lift up your eyes,
With hope embrace joy;
It’s not a feeling,
But truth to employ.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son into the world. Thank You that Jesus demonstrated the joy that is found in knowing You. Forgive us for allowing our fears and anxieties to steal our joy, for You have planted Your joy deep within us, and it is not dependent on how we are feeling or what is going on. Teach us how to choose joy in all circumstances. Show us how to love those around us in ways that communicate the joy that is found in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they discover the joy that comes from knowing and being loved by You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the joy that we have in You and help us to spread joy wherever we go. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
(Let us) fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2
Revelations In Writing 