In Our Current Dumpster Fire, How Can We Have Joy?

As I write this, it is the second Sunday of Easter.

Growing up Baptist, we only had Holy Week, starting on Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday. And that could be an exhausting week if you grew up with a church musician like I did. The Monday after Easter the lilies were gone from the sanctuary, the pastor was exhausted, and the church schedule more or less "went back to normal" - as did the church music for the following Sunday.

Imagine my surprise as I studied different Christian traditions around the world and learned the Easter season is 50 days long, starting on Easter Sunday and ending on Pentecost Sunday!

So today, if you were in our church, the Easter lilies were still present, the crown of thorns was still on the altar (although hidden by palm branches), and we opened with a favorite Easter anthem, Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

We were a fairly joyful bunch today! We had a March Madness ceremony before worship, bestowing Mister T-style medals to Joey and Madison for winning the Clayvillage Church League Bracket Challenge for NCAA Men and Women's tournaments, respectively. We were blessed to worship with a long-time member who has retired to Florida. It was a blessing!

There was joy as our members engaged physically with the gospel favorite, I'll Fly Away, by flapping like birds preparing to fly to heaven.

Indeed, we were a joyful bunch, gathered to worship.

But this raises a good question. In the current dumpster fire that our world seems to have become, is it possible to have joy?

We decided today, together, that yes, in this life, with all its joy, grief, gain, loss, darkness, and light, thanks to God, we can have joy - even in suffering. And we didn't just make this up to make ourselves feel better; we looked at a scriptural basis for our answer.

Consider how King David speaks of experiencing God.

Psalm 16:1-2, NLT

"Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. [2] I said to the LORD, "You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you."

David turns to God for refuge, and he recognizes the work of God in blessing him. This sounds like a personally invested God, doesn't it?

Psalm 16:3-4, NLT

"[3] The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! [4] Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods."

David looks to the godly people in his life and he sees their examples. He also looks at those who are not godly and he sees their examples, as well. David sees that God is so good that he vows to not even speak the names of other gods. Which people set a godly example for you, and who needs you to be a godly example for them?

Psalm 16:5-11, NLT

"[5] LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. [6] The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! [7] I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. [8] I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. [9] No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. [10] For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. [11] You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

David recognizes that God guards him. God guides him and is present with him. David had his fair share of trouble in life, but despite this he says that his heart is glad and he can rejoice.

Consider what David experienced with God:

• David sees God's work in the lives of godly people, and he sees the difference in those who are not godly.

• David experienced God's protection.

• David experienced God guiding him.

• David experienced God being present with him in a variety of circumstances, in both the ups and the downs.

But there is something else.

Psalm 16:9-11, NLT

"[9] No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. [10] For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. [11] You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

David trusts God with his life, his kingdom, and with his eternity.

This is why we can have joy, even in the dumpster fire that seems to be burning out of control in the world today. We can trust that because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross and the empty tomb, we share in his victory over sin, death, and the grave. David's words point us to Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:13-14, NLT

"For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, [14] who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."

Jesus has given us something better than an upgrade in accommodations; Jesus has given us a new address. He rescued us from sin and death, and He rescued us from the enemy's dark kingdom. And then He transferred us to the Kingdom of Jesus, preparing us for the place He prepared for us.

This is joy!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

by Charles Wesley, 1739

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!

Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!

Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia!

Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

Postscript: We entered to worship today, but we departed to serve. We prayed for peace, and we prayed for God to equip us with his power and presence that we may be peacemakers. Another source of joy is in loving and serving people as Jesus commands.