the GIFT GIVER
John 1:14, ‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.’ (MSG)
November 8th, 2023
He is the ULTIMATE Gift Giver!
Galatians 5:22-23:
Divine Love in all its varied expressions: Joy that overflows; Peace that subdues; Patience that endures; Kindness in action; a life full of Virtue; Faith that prevails; Gentleness of heart; Strength of spirit. (TPT)
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance, about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.’ (MSG)
JOY
What is Joy? Webster says Joy is the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated. Joy imbibes feelings of comfort, jubilee, wonder, satisfaction. The emotions joy derives inside of us run even as deep as ecstasy and devotion, pride and gladness.
But what does God say Joy is? God’s definition of joy is different from mankind’s. ‘Biblical joy is more than a happy feeling. It is a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill His promises.’ Nehemiah 8:10 says, ‘The Joy of the Lord is my strength.’ That is powerful. It is a deep-rooted, inspired happiness. It is a fruit, a gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift from God. It is to be ‘celebrated and shared with others.’
The Word of God instructs us to ‘rejoice always’ and to ‘count it all joy when we face all kinds of trials.’ For so long, that command, that instruction, confused me. Honestly, it seemed impossible. How can one be joy-filled when struggling, when facing tragedy, while enduring travesty? When the bottom has dropped out and the hope is falling away, how then, Lord, am I to rejoice? But that is the difference between the joy of the Lord and the happiness of humanity. Happiness is fleeting. I think happiness is dependent on something or someone, reliant on relationships and circumstances being perfect, going well, achieving greatness. It can be given, and it can also be taken away. Joy, on the other hand, is foundational. If we are rooted in joy, then it is not easily altered or toppled. It is derived from strength and trust, peace and hope, rest and endurance.
God’s promises concerning joy help us as we journey through difficult and painful seasons. When wrestling with heavy burdens, we are told God’s joy yields to courage and fortitude. We are told that if we ‘delight (a high degree of joy) in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4).’ The powerful thing about this promise is not that we get something we want, but that joy is transformational. Finding joy in the ways of God changes how I look at life and causes me to yearn for what is important to Him, instead of what has always been most important to me. Joy changes things. It changes people. Deciding upon joy and choosing a peace which accompanies joy during difficult times changed me.
Joy can be elusive if you are self-motivated to pursue joy for simply your own pleasure. Like its counterpart—happiness—however, it is not evasive. Deep-rooted joy is permanent, long-lasting, and it does not ebb and flow based upon one’s day or mood or circumstances. As a gift of the Holy Spirit, joy overflows. It effervesces and bubbles up and spills out to do great good on those it touches. Joy is sustaining, but it costs something. It requires surrender and honesty, perseverance and longevity. Joy is faithful even when others are faithless, and it sees the best in others and prevails with purpose. It glories only in what is good and kind and benevolent.
In this life, there are many trials we will face. While happiness is desired and mankind has long been in pursuit of happiness, it can be expensive and always out of reach. When we get some, we always want more. We all work hard in this life to be happy and have things that cause us to feel happy, but happiness is not lasting. It can easily be blown away, taken away, given away, stolen, robbed, burned up or left behind. What remains steadfast inside, causing us to become different people with worthy purpose and sturdy plans, is joy, deep-rooted unadulterated, pure exultation. Joy is the prescription for overcoming and being unflinching and staying loyal during the trials we are sure to encounter.
Our Heavenly Father, the Creator of the Universe, Holy God, the Spirit of the Living God, Perfect One, is the ultimate gift giver. Just like we as parents are eager to give gifts to our children, our Father desires to give gifts that are beneficial and good and profitable for us. He delights in giving gifts, like joy, to His children for our good and, ultimately, for His glory.
James 1:16-18, ‘So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life, using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all His creatures.’ (MSG)
