Down in My Heart

I remember as a kid singing about the joy joy joy joy down in my heart and when the teacher responded musically, "Where!?" we would always follow... "down in my heart!" Maybe as we get older the question goes from where to why. We talked in our Bible Study tonight about what true joy is and how it differs from what the world around us is selling. I would define joy as an unconditional and ever present assurance of God's sovereignty and acceptance of us in Christ. It isn't always demonstrated by a big smile on someone's face and isn't absent in the midst of tears. I believe the Bible teaches that God is glorified most in our joy when it remains steadfast in the midst of persecution or tribulation (Lk 6:22-23, Phil. 2:14-18). True joy sees past present circumstances and personal comforts to the greater good that God is bringing about by conforming us into the image of Christ (Rom.8:29). We can rest assured that God knows exactly what it takes to make us like Jesus. This kind of joy challenges believers to faithfulness and makes those who refuse Christ uncomfortable to say the least.

It is also a good reminder for us that our God is joyful. How cool is it that we who are in Christ are a joy to the God of the universe!? In that sense we find our deepest joy in seeking to be a joy to the Lord. I do not believe that God is that concerned with our happiness, but does care about our joy. In fact, God cannot desire anything greater for us than what would bring us the greatest joy of all... Him. Anything less would not be truly loving us. Joy is intimately tied to resting in God's sovereignty. He is in control of the cosmos and doesn't need our help holding it all together. Believers are secure in His strong hands (John 10:29) and with that assurance comes a joy that no one can take away, "and if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack."