We Are On the Road to Revival
Volume 21
Who God Wants Me To Be - Joy
As previously discussed, there is a “space” between stimulus and response where we
get to choose what our actions will be; and although the Bible doesn’t teach specific
rules for handling each possible situation, it does teach principles to guide our actions.
Based on Galatians 5:22 we can judge our responses with the question: “Does my
action betray a lack of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,
Meekness, or Self-Control ?”
It’s a question worth memorizing; but it’s also a question worth expanding to better
capture the deeper meanings of these 9 simple terms.
In last week’s PM20 devotional we expanded the meaning of “Love” to “giving ourselves
to others and seeking their benefit”. Now we’ll address the meaning of “Joy”, and how it
will further expand our question.
Some synonyms for Joy are happiness, delight, pleasure, and bliss. However, two key
criteria to consider regarding these feelings are:
1. Are they shallow, or are they deep ?
2. Are they fleeting, or are they lasting ?
Ecclesiastes 2:1 & 2:11 refute the value of pleasures that are shallow or fleeting.
Solomon writes: “I said in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy
yourself’’. But behold, this also was vanity…Then I considered all that my hands had
done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving
after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”
However, apart from the selfish desires and gratifications alluded to in the above
references from Ecclesiastes, some of the many Biblical references regarding the Joy
God wants us to have include:
Acts 8:8 – As Philip preached in Samaria, the people believed and “there was great joy
in that city”. (Eternal hope through salvation.)
Acts 16:34 – After Paul and Silas spoke to the household of the Philippian Jailer, they
all became saved, and the Jailer “rejoiced along with his entire household that he had
believed in God.” (Eternal hope through salvation.)
Acts 13:52 – As Paul and Barnabas spoke to the Gentiles of Antioch, the people
rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, “And the disciples were filled with joy and
with the Holy Spirit.” (Eternal purpose and fulfillment.)
The common thread is that God wants us to have deep and lasting Joy arising from the
eternal hope and purpose that He has for us.
Do bumps in the road disturb us, or get us down?
Do we get upset and dwell on small offences?
Do we ever wish our life circumstances were different?
Now let’s apply our expanding self-examination question:
“Does my action betray :
1. a lack of giving myself to others and seeking their benefit (Love)
2. a lack of blissful appreciation of my eternal hope and purpose (Joy)
3. a lack of (Peace)
4. a lack of (Patience)
5. a lack of (Kindness)
6. a lack of (Goodness)
7. a lack of (Faithfulness)
8. a lack of (Meekness)
9. or a lack of (Self-Control)
all in the light that God loves me, and has paid the high price to save me?”
As this probing question becomes more and more fleshed out, it becomes more and
more obvious (actually more and more painfully obvious) to me that I fail on every level,
and that only the filling of the Holy Spirit in Personal Revival can significantly empower
me toward this end. I have no chance under my own failing love and faltering strength.
So again, how often do bumps in road get you down because you forget the big picture
of God’s love for you & why you’re here & where you’re going?
Revival, therefore, isn’t just a “want” or a “nice to have” or a “gee, wouldn’t it be exciting”
experience……it’s a “need”…… like a sail with no wind.
It’s an urgency, not a complacency….but the key is - what is Revival to you?