The Necessity of Joy

Joy is most needed when things are tough.

Paul prays that the Colossians may be “strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. . . .” (Col. 1:11). Here, endurance and patience go hand in hand with joy. Peter, too, speaks of a “joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (I Pet. 1:9). This joy comes with grievous trials and testing, as if by fire (v.7). And Nehemiah’s famous admonition to his people that “The joy of the Lord is your strength” was delivered to a weeping people, spiritually broken upon the reading of the law.

These passages tell us something about joy. For one thing, it isn’t natural. It’s not happiness or glee or giddiness. It is supernatural: the joy of the Lord, a deep rejoicing which affirms that he is King of all, Lord of all circumstances, and deliverer of his people. We rejoice because our hope goes beyond our circumstances, not because things are going well. For another thing, joy always takes the long view—the eternal perspective. Our lives are God’s instruments in light of His plans for eternity. If we truly believe this, we have joy.

Although Christmas is over and the new year has begun, it is worth remembering that the advent of God incarnate to deliver his people is what makes an eternal perspective—joy itself—possible. He came to deliver his people; not just from Egypt, not just from Babylon, but from death itself—forever. The baby born in the manger IS the “good news of great joy for all people.” We rejoice in that supernatural gift! We sing praises to God; we eat and drink and give gifts in joyful celebration. And we do all this, despite knowing that this innocent baby will one day suffer the humiliation and death that we deserve. The joy of Christmas is that very inexpressible joy, filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls.

~ Mike Schutt, Professor at Regent University School of Law, and Director of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies

Are You Prepared to Celebrate?

Simeon was ready. Are we?

From the beginning, God promised a Redeemer, one who would “crush the head” of Satan and suffer pain in the process (Gen. 3:15). And throughout the ages, God gave further wonderful and mysterious hints about the coming of the Christ, the King, the Suffering Servant. He promised Abraham that through his descendants, all peoples would be blessed (Gen. 12:3). He redeemed His people from political and spiritual bondage in Egypt (Ex. 6:6; 20:2), and he healed them by a bronze snake “raised up” in the wilderness (Num. 21:8-9). His prophets told of the Comforter of Israel, a Suffering Servant, a light to the Gentiles, one who would bring justice to the nations.

Simeon knew and studied these promises, and he was ready and waiting for the Christ, the redeemer of Israel.

Advent is a season of preparation. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas—the celebration of the first coming of Christ—we remind ourselves to prepare for His return in glory. Like Simeon, we know His promises and we know He is coming. But are we ready and waiting? Simeon was a man whose heart was prepared for the Lord’s arrival. He listened to God, relied on His promises, and was empowered by His Holy Spirit. As a result, when God called at the greatest moment in human history, Simeon was ready. And at the arrival of the Christ, he could shout in celebration: “I am ready to depart in peace. I have seen your salvation!” Simeon was ready to be called home to meet his Redeemer. Are you?

Preparing to celebrate Christmas—an earthly symbol of the coming of the Redeemer—is really heart preparation to welcome Him in the tangible, temporal world. We celebrate Him and His literal presence in our daily lives, and we prepare our hearts to celebrate His coming again in glory.

Are you ready to celebrate?

~ Mike Schutt, Professor at Regent University School of Law, and Director of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies