Contagious Joy
Louis Albert Banks tells of an elderly Christian man, a fine singer, who learned that he had cancer of the tongue and that surgery was required. In the hospital after everything was ready for the operation, the man said to the doctor, "Are you sure I will never sing again?" The surgeon found it difficult to answer his question. He simply shook his head no.
The patient then asked if he could sit up for a moment. "I've had many good times singing the praises of God," he said. "And now you tell me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last. It will be of gratitude and praise to God." There in the doctor's presence the man sang softly the words of Isaac Watts' hymn, "I'll praise my maker while I've breath (Our Daily Bread).
Philippians is the most joyful book in the Bible. And yet the apostle Paul wrote it from a dingy Roman prison, a place we would typically associate with misery, the opposites of joy. He was surrounded by every conceivable obstacle to joy and yet he seemed so happy. In the book Paul said “I always pray for you with joy” (1:4) . Some preach Christ out of envy, but others out of good will.
In every way Christ is preached so I rejoice, yes and I will continue to rejoice (1:15-18). Make my joy complete by being one in spirit and of one mind (2:2). I am being poured out like a drink offering …I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me (2:17-18) .I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me (4:10)
In Philippians 4:4 Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. And just in case we did not get the message he says "Again , I say rejoice". The idea behind rejoice is pictured by a little lamb skipping around for joy. Rejoicing involves a physical expression of joy; something radiates from within to people around you. Joy speaks for itself, it shines out of the eyes and sparkles in the countenance!
The world envisions joy as an emotion evoked by well-being, success or prospect of possessing what one desires. But Christian joy is the deep-down confidence that God is in control of everything and thus all is well no matter the circumstances. Christian joy is distinct from the world's joy for it is in the unchanging, ever present, almighty God and not in the changing circumstances!
Take the good that God provides and rejoice not merely in it, but in Him who provided it. When you feel there is nothing else to rejoice about, rejoice in the Lord and the prospect of a life in heaven with him. Isaiah said “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with a robe of righteousness (Isa. 61:10-11).
Do not go after the poisonous sweets of this world. Joy that you cannot share with God is not right. The sphere of your joy must be “in the Lord”; you cannot truly rejoice if you get outside that ring. Rejoicing in temporal success is good but Jesus advised that we rejoice in something that is lasting-our names are written in the book of life (Luke 10:20).
In Psalm 32 God promises that “I will counsel you with my loving eye on you... many are the sorrows of the wicked but the Lords unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him . Rejoice in the Lord and be glad you righteous; sing all you who are upright in heart! (vv.8,10,11). This protection and joy is reserved for the righteous and the upright in heart.
David gives compelling reasons for the righteous to rejoice. God guides and watches over them; he shields them from much sorrow and surrounds them with unfailing love. Psalm 32 ends by calling on the righteous to sing praises to God. This note is picked up in Psalm 33, almost as if its first three verses were written as an elaboration of Psalm 32:11.
Psalm 33:1-3 says “sing joyfully, rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp …Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.” It’s uncomely for those whose life dishonor’s God to praise him, but praise from the upright is beautiful to him. God loves to receive praises of His people expressed in skillful music and joyful enthusiasm.
After the Israelites had safely crossed the red sea, Moses composed a song of gratitude to God. Miriam and all the women took tambourines and joyfully danced for God(Exod. 15:1-12). When the captured the ark of covenant (2 Sam.5) was returned, King David joyfully danced with all his might. His wife Michal despised him for it. David said to her, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this”. God closed Michal’s womb (2 Sam.6).
Do not be content with the old songs composed by others. When God gives you a fresh blessing, protection or victory, compose a new song and a sing it to him with joy. Celebrate each blessing and victory with a new song suited to the occasion. Sing and dance with all your might. God will be listening with delight because your praise, if you are upright, is beautiful to him.
In Psalm 5:11 David says “let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 97:11-12 says “Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord you who are righteous and praise his holy name”. God’s joy is reserved for the righteous and the upright.
The righteous have many reasons to be joyful. But, they have their share of pain and disappointments too (Ps. 34:19). There are times in life where it seems like there's not much reason to rejoice. When we read Paul’s command to “rejoice in the Lord always” we wonder, is it really possible? We rejoice always because our rejoicing is based on our relationship with Jesus, which nothing could take from us.
After Peter and the apostles were flogged by the "religious" leaders they went on their way rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41). In spite of their "deep poverty" (2 Cor. 8:2) as well as their "great trial of affliction," the Philippians church exhibited an "abundance of joy. Heaven and all its prospects is a great motivated for joy in all circumstances.
The prophet Habakkuk said "though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines… yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Hab. 3:18). Circumstances change but Jesus never changes. He is an unchanging, inexhaustible source of joy. If your joy is in him, it will never dry up. You will be able to experience this supernatural joy only if you maintain a close union with Him.
Do you find your joy in the Lord welling up so much that it spills over into singing?” Do you find yourself wanting to burst forth in heartfelt praise to God for who He is and what He’s done for you? David sang many of his prayers to God. The Psalms which he composed were to be sung, not just read. He was always singing. He has much to teach us about the aspect of praise.
There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy; it’s sweet and comforting to the heart. Joy in the Lord is the cure for discord, care and anxiety. People, who are happy in the Lord, are not quick either to give or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise around them.
Spirit enabled joy is such a vital factor in believers’ spiritual stability. Joy provides strength for daily work and strength to face trials (Neh. 8:10). The joy of the Lord will beautify you and give you an influence over the lives of others. Joy is very contagious; when we rejoice in the Lord we set others into rejoicing! Sinners see our joy and say" there must be something real about the joy of these Christians!”
The Gospel is glad tidings of great joy, live it by your cheerfulness. Show by its effect on you that it is glad tidings of great joy to you! A man of God under trial, bearing up patiently and still rejoicing in the Lord is a real preacher of the Gospel. He is preaching with an eloquence which is mightier than words can ever be. This makes it to find its secret and silent way into the hearts of those who might have resisted other arguments!
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