Singing in the Rain: Having Otherworldly Joy in a Broken World

Discouragement will erupt interrupting our joy, our cheerfulness, our happiness whenever faith in the Lord is not rejoiced in and lived by.  What good is faith if we do not lean into it and put it to use?  It is like an unused weapon at our side in the heat of the battle or an unused well when we are dying of thirst.  And remember, without faith it is impossible to please God.  Also, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Do we really believe that God has our best interest at heart when life heats up and the storm rages on?  I think  the Apostle Paul would give us a resounding “yes” to that question. 

When we begin to wax and wane and our emotions are quickly casting us into the dumps of mourning and despair – not to mention grumbling and complaining – we can know that our sites are set on our circumstances and not on our Christ.  We must go to the deep well of His Word seeking the sweetness of His promises, claiming each one in our lives.  In strengthening our faith, we will most assuredly keep our joy.  How else in the world could Paul and Silas be singing and praying after being flogged severely and fastened in stocks?  Were they superhuman?  In some ways, “Yes”, as are we, through the power of the Holy Spirit which every believer in sweet Jesus has.  But perhaps even more so, their eyes were fixed on Jesus, with the firm knowledge that all was working both for their good and His glory remembering that Christ is their friend and their good Shepherd.  

Remember too, heaviness drives people around us away while joy woos and wins those to our Lord.  The example Paul and Silas demonstrated converted the jailer and his household.  Can we be sad when we have all the treasures of heaven that are out of the adversaries reach for ever and ever?  Is it not fitting for the righteous to rejoice?  Show the world your faith by your joy.  Strengthen your faith and you will strengthen your joy.