Devotion

What is the greatest trial or hardship that you have ever encountered in this life? Was it the death of a loved one? Was it a trying physical ailment? Perhaps it was a season of intense financial strain or experiencing a fractured relationship with a dear friend of several years? We have all experienced our fair share of anguish over the years. Life in a fallen, sin-cursed world inevitably produces tragedy and heartache (Genesis 3:16-19). To some extent, all human beings will have to undergo bouts of adversity and suffering during their lives (Psalm 46:1-3). Nevertheless, while trials are guaranteed in this life, the Bible declares that God is able to sovereignly use them for the eternal good of His people (Romans 5:1-5). The reality of God’s perfect care through the direst of circumstances should be the ultimate source of comfort for Christians as they deal with personal tribulations (John 16:33). This is to say, followers of the Lord Jesus Christ can have joy in the midst of whatever situation they find themselves in (Philippians 4:10-14).

The Bible portrays joy as an internal happiness based on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities.[1] Joy is the overflow effect of the Christian’s realization that they are at peace with God and know Him as Heavenly Father (Philippians 4:8-9). True joy is produced by the Holy Spirit and is present in the Believer’s life regardless of their surrounding environment (Acts 16:22-34). Most normatively, joy is manifested within the Christian when they recognize and submit to the truth that God is sovereign over all of redemptive history and when they are walking in obedience to God’s commanded will as depicted in Scripture (John 15:10-11).[2] By God’s grace, Christians can possess a deep-rooted confidence in the absolute goodness of God and ascribe glory to Him with their lives when times are good or bad (1 Thessalonians 1:6). Joy is not a seasonal emotion, or a special gift reserved only for an “elite class” of Christian spirituality. Rather, joy is a disposition that will be characteristic of every true Believer (Galatians 5:22-23). Although the levels of joy may fluctuate, it is impossible for joy to be entirely absent from a genuine child of God (Romans 14:17).

It is important to note that because joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, it cannot be arbitrarily manufactured or experienced by non-Christians. In fact, there is not any valid reason for an unbeliever to have true joy in this life (Galatians 5:19-21). Outside of union with Christ, unbelievers cannot claim the promise that God is working together all of the details in their life for their eternal good (Romans 8:28). Moreover, eternal judgment in Hell awaits every person who refuses to repent of their sin and trust in Jesus Christ alone for being reconciled to God (Jude 1:5-7). In view of such a horrific fate awaiting non-Christians immediately after their earthly death, the Bible exhorts sinners to seek the Lord while He may be found” (Isaiah 55:6)! The frailty and brevity of human life highlights the foolishness of seeking ultimate fulfillment in the cares of this world that are passing away (Colossians 3:1-5). True joy is found and obtained exclusively through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (John 17:13).

One of the most powerful illustrations of joy that can be observed throughout church history was demonstrated in the life of Horatio Spafford (1828-1888). Spafford was a successful lawyer, a wealthy family man, and a Godly leader in the Presbyterian church; he was a man that “had it all.” But in the early 1870’s, God allowed severe calamity to infiltrate Spafford’s life. His only son would die of scarlet fever in 1870 and the following year, Spafford lost all of his investments due to the “Great Chicago Fire.” In 1873, Spafford suggested that he and his family take an extended trip to England to visit some dear friends as they grieved the enormous losses suffered over the past few years with loved ones.

Shortly before the trip, an unexpected work emergency prevented Spafford from leaving with his wife and four daughters on the Ville du Havre. Four days after his family departed, Spafford received word from his wife via telegram that the ship had sunk and that each of their daughters had perished in the accident. In the wake of insurmountable tragedy, Spafford quickly set sail to join his wife in England to mourn the loss of their beloved daughters. It was on that voyage in which Spafford wrote the famous hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.” Consider just a few stanzas from that breathtaking hymn:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:

It is well with my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

When confronted with the death of five children and the loss of his wealth, Horatio Spafford did not curse God or renounce his faith. Like Job, Spafford rightly understood that the holy Creator gives and takes away as He pleases, in order to perfectly accomplish His eternal purposes (Job 1:21). Moreover, upon reflecting on the goodness of God, the glory of the Gospel and the precious promises of God’s eternal care for His own, Spafford could still proclaim, “it is well with my soul!” This is the essence of true joy, produced by the Holy Spirit indwelling every true follower of Jesus Christ! Will this likewise be your response in moments of triumph and turmoil in your own life?

Weekly Passages For Meditation:

Monday- James 1:1-4, 12-18

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing… 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Tuesday- 1 Peter 1:1-9

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Wednesday- 1 Chronicles 16:23-34

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;

Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

24 Tell of His glory among the nations,

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

He also is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the Lord made the heavens.

27 Splendor and majesty are before Him,

Strength and joy are in His place.

28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come before Him;

Worship the Lord in holy array.

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

32 Let the sea roar, and all it contains;

Let the field exult, and all that is in it.

33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord;

For He is coming to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Thursday- Psalm 16:5-11

5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You support my lot.

6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;

Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

8 I have set the Lord continually before me;

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will dwell securely.

10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

11 You will make known to me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Friday- Psalm 30:2-8, 10-12

2 O Lord my God,

I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

3 O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol;

You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.

4 Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,

And give thanks to His holy name.

5 For His anger is but for a moment,

His favor is for a lifetime;

Weeping may last for the night,

But a shout of joy comes in the morning.

6 Now as for me, I said in my prosperity,

“I will never be moved.”

7 O Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong;

You hid Your face, I was dismayed.

8 To You, O Lord, I called,

And to the Lord I made supplication:

10 “Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me;

O Lord, be my helper.”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,

12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Saturday- Psalm 95:1-8

O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord

Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

3 For the Lord is a great God

And a great King above all gods,

4 In whose hand are the depths of the earth,

The peaks of the mountains are His also.

5 The sea is His, for it was He who made it,

And His hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us worship and bow down,

Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

7 For He is our God,

And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you would hear His voice,

8 Do not harden your hearts

[1] John MacArthur, Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth, Page 375

[2] https://covenantconfessions.com/understanding-gods-will/