Most people picture God with a frowning face. He is viewed as a cosmic kill-joy whose commandments restrict us from having any fun whatsoever; a God who can't wait to zap us all into eternal damnation. Of course it is true that God hates sin, and His wrath is being kindled against those who work unrighteousness. But this is only one of God's characteristics. God is also a God who finds pleasure in His creation and His creatures. God is both joyful and the source of joy.
For some reason the joy of the Lord seems to be a neglected aspect of His nature and character. In an interesting passage from the pen of the Apostle Paul we read,
"Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexually, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted" (1 Timothy 1:8-11).
The word "blessed" found in verse 11 is the same term as employed by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, which means happy. The expression speaks of the "happy God." Our theology which teaches us about the righteousness, holiness, and justice of God, dosen't prohibit this understanding, even though we seldom think of God in this way.
Unfortunately, the word happy has been so redefined and trivialized in our culture that there is little wonder we hestitate to use happiness when referring to Christians and God. But I think we should reclaim this term. In Nehemiah we find a similar thought. "The joy of the Lord is your strength." I have always thought that the joy spoken of here is the joy which God gives to us, or the joy we experience as we delight in His presence. And of course this is so. God gives us joy because He has joy. He is the source of the "fruit of the spirit" which includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Joy is both a description of God and of what He imparts to us as we grow into His likeness. Just search the Scriptures and see the evidence of God's pleasure and delight. Notice from the very beginning, that as each aspect of His creative work was completed, it was pronounced "good," and "very good." See the Father taking pleasure in choosing a people to bear His name (Deuteronomy 28:63); see as He delights in disciplining His sons (Proverbs 3:13); and see as He delights in crowning David as King for His people (2 Sameul 22:20). Then skipping ahead, see Jesus as He presses toward the cross because of the joy He experiences in doing the Father's will (Hebrews 12:1-3).
God is a God of great joy, a "happy God." He rejoices in creation, and He especially rejoices in the salvation of the lost. If we are God's true children, if we tune our hearts to His, then we will also be characterized as a people of great joy!
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I appreciate your posts. I have a few questions.
ReplyDeleteIs Jesus the “Son of God “the physical manifestation of “God the father”? Jesus Himself said that “I and the Father are one.” and ,“ If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”
Is there such a closeness between the Son and the Father that when we contemplate the characteristics of God the Father, we are also to consider the characteristics of God the Son? Did the Son who was known as “the Man of Sorrows”, become immune to sorrow and pain when he went to Heaven? Isn’t sorrow a direct consequence of Love when the object of that love faces difficulties? With the present sinful earthly scenario wouldn’t the one who has the greatest love for mankind, also experience the greatest sorrows?
When Jesus our Mediator intercedes for us when we go astray does He not feel anguish.
When “God Himself shall wipe all tears from their eyes” , does that refer to a point in eternity when the Church becomes a perfect companion of Jesus called “The Bride of Christ”; and sorrow dies forever for all concerned? Does God the Father also wipe away Christ’s tears as the ages roll on and on?
Does Rev 7:17 indicate that indicate that God will wipe the tears from the eyes of The Shepherd as well as from the eyes of the sheep?
Rev 7:17 "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
There is joy in Heaven when a Soul is saved. What goes on in Heaven when a Soul turns their back on the Cross, and decides to go to Hell? Is The present Heaven immune to tragedy. Does the present Heaven experience sorrow as well as joy.
Is earth the center of an arena that is watched by a “Great cloud of Witnesses” and “ten thousand times ten thousand Angels “;that cheers over the victories, and cries at the disappointments? Isn’t the emotion that is felt in the Heavens a reflection of the emotion felt by the Most Holy One?
Does God the Father, or/and God the Son presently experience sorrow?