castle defense 2 joy of the dead endless

#Castle defense 2 joy of the dead endless full

With our endless failures in view, it is such spectacularly good news that God himself is utterly committed to our everlasting joy in him. One infinitely powerful piece remains in the equation. It can be a new weight to carry on already over-burdened shoulders.īut our joylessness is not the end of the story. To such sluggish and self-aware people, hearing that joy is not optional can feel fraught with more condemnation than possibilities. Those of us who know ourselves, and are learning to be honest with reality, own up to how little we are truly joyful, and ask our Father again and again, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Even in Christ, we daily ride the undulating roller coaster from lethargic hearts to quickened spirits, then back into dryness again. Often we are emotionally inconsistent and spiritually dull. We are sinners, spiritually dead by nature (Ephesians 2:1–3). Some hear possibilities in the commands of joy others hear problems.

Joy is the fitting response in the receiver to the goodness of the Giver. Joy in the heart of the creature corresponds to goodness in the heart of the Creator. “You shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you” (Deuteronomy 26:11). The imperative to joy in us is based on the indicative of good in him. One reason the Bible is so relentless in insisting on our joy is because of the goodness of God. Not that we’re dull to the multifaceted pains of life in this age, but in Christ we have access to subterranean joy that is simultaneous with, and deeper than, the greatest of our sorrows - we are “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). “Rejoice in the Lord always again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). And then, the joy tidal wave of Philippians: “Be glad and rejoice with me” (Philippians 2:18). “Finally, brothers, rejoice” (2 Corinthians 13:11). Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:12, 15). If it weren’t plain enough at this point, the apostle Paul drives it home further in his letters to the churches. “We have access to subterranean joy that is simultaneous with, and deeper than, our sorrows.” Yes, joy is possible, joy so real and rich that we turn to friends and neighbors and say, “Rejoice with me” (Luke 15:6, 9). “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:12).

#Castle defense 2 joy of the dead endless full

In the New Testament, God himself, in full manhood, doesn’t change his tune once he’s become the “man of sorrows” in our fallen world (Isaiah 53:3), but commands our joy as much as anyone, and gives us even more reason to rejoice. With literally hundreds more instances throughout the Old Testament.īeyond just Israel, God commands all nations to rejoice in their Maker (“Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,” Psalm 67:4), and even commands the natural world to join in the joy (“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,” Psalm 96:11). “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:11). “Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2). “Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad” (Psalm 14:7). “Let Israel be glad in his Maker let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!” (Psalm 149:2). It was commanded of God’s first-covenant people, Israel, perhaps especially in the Psalms. In a world of sin and suffering, mess and misery, it is good news to hear that joy is possible.įor one, joy is commanded all over the Bible. If joy is essential, then it must mean that joy is possible. To hear that joy is not optional lands on some ears with promise and hope. Only here, in difficulty and darkness, do we taste the essence of such joy - that it is not thin and frivolous and empty, but thick and substantive and full. It’s not that there is only joy, but that in our most painful losses and sufferings, we discover how deep the reservoirs of Christian joy run. Joy is not the icing on our cake, but an essential ingredient in a complex batter. Joy is not a garnish on the dutiful entrée of the Christian life. Our heavenly Father is not indifferent to our happiness. The Scriptures are clear: God’s people are both commanded to rejoice and characterized by rejoicing.