Joy in trials
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9
We have seen the desire and the promise of the Lord to give us His joy. This last study focuses on joy in the demands of daily life. When we drive a car, the tires wear down over time, and we eventually have to get new tires. But this is not how joy should be. We should not have to recharge our joy; it can remain a consistently fresh characteristic of our lives, for it is the joy of the Lord.
In this passage from 1 Peter 1, there are various trials expected. But they are in contrast to the many blessings and promises of verses 3-5. In Romans 5 the past and present aspects of salvation are mentioned; here we have the future aspect of salvation, when we shall be saved from even the presence of sin.
It's a matter of perspective: eternity compared to our trials. Our trials also have a purpose in view: to conform us, "if need be," to the Lord. Furthermore, there is an eternal inheritance in view for the believer. Having the right perspective follows the example of the Lord in Hebrews 12:2, as mentioned in the previous study.
The idea of heaviness or grief (v. 6) is not feeling sorry for ourselves, but an accurate realization of what we are going through. There can be grief in the midst of joy, yet joy does not melt away in the face of grief.
It's one thing for us to sit here in comfort and talk about trials. It's another thing to suffer the way Christian martyrs did and still do. Peter writes of suffering about 16 times in his letters. The Christians of that time lived under the emperor Nero, who was so bad that people named their dogs after him, not their children. Yet Peter also wrote of joy in his letters-- about 26 times. Joy overcomes in a trial.
The trial is not just a time of suffering. It's for the proving of our faith-- to test it and display its genuine character. In this way, our faith in God during trials will bring glory to Him now. Furthermore, the appearing of Jesus Christ (when He comes in power and glory as King of kings) is another point. That day will reveal how I handled the trials. Did I put them in perspective in relation to His appearing? That will add to His praise and honor then, too (v. 7).
Job and Daniel are good examples of enduring suffering. When we consider their trials and then the final chapters of their stories, we see that the end of their faith (v. 9) is honorable for God.
So we can ask ourselves, Was my joy full during a trial? Shouldn't it be? For what reason are Christians running around with grumpy faces? Maybe we are not conscious of the joy of the Lord. The enemy would like us to be grumpy because it is not a good testimony for Him.
There are various trials, as if they are "multi-colored." There are different aspects in all of our trials. Yet our trials are not unusual; God always provides a way to bear them; and we can rejoice to share fellowship with Christ's own sufferings (1 Peter 4:12-13; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Suffering is part of the believer's pathway.
Nevertheless, the life of faith still allows us to have inexpressible joy; and such joy brings a foretaste already now of the salvation that will be revealed in full later on (compare v. 9 with v. 5).
Joy in the fellowship and growth of other Christians
Read Paul's example in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 3:6-10
Read John's example in 1 John 1:4; 2 John 4, 12; 3 John 3-4
Other Christians are another source of joy. Paul found encouragement in the Thessalonians, as well as in the Philippians, the Corinthians, and others. We are not on our own.
At the coming of the Lord, there will be joy to see those who came to Christ through our testimony as well as those who were helped by our service for the Lord. This result is a crown reserved for those who share in the growth of other believers. Yet we do not serve to get a crown ourselves but to have such a crown to place at the feet of Jesus.
There is value in continuance. The apostle John encouraged a sister when he knew that some of her children were walking with the Lord. Growth in our lives brings joy to others.
Paul had worked hard among the Thessalonians as both a nurse and a father. He did not bring them merely a few weeks of academic lectures; he labored to see Christ formed in them, and his life was bound up with their spiritual progress (1 Thessalonians 3:8).
Winning souls is one thing, and discipling new believers is another. Investing ourselves for the sake of others is a foreign way of thinking outside of this Christian perspective. But Paul intentionally pursued goals for growth in the lives of these Christians. A fine example of making a personal investment in the life of someone else is shown by the good Samaritan, who provided money for the traveler's care and promised more if it would be needed (Luke 10:35).
The man healed in Acts 3 showed both process and progress in his healing and response to God. This is how it should be for each of us.
John found joy just by spending time in fellowship with other believers (2 John 12). He could have written more, but he wanted to see this sister in the Lord. He says it will make "our" joy full-- his included, not just hers.
The desire to have joy in fellowship will affect how I talk with other Christians. Talking about sports or the weather is fine, but we should truly want to have fellowship by talking about the things of the Lord.
After being delivered from sorrows, the Lord is now the Man of joy (He is prophetically the "king" of Psalm 21:1). He is the first model of one who found delight in being with God's people, as mentioned in the first study (Proverbs 8:31; Psalm 16:3).
Joy at the end of a life lived for the Lord
Read Acts 20:18-24
In Acts 20, the apostle Paul could review a life of faithful service. He could look back at the years of doing what the Lord gave Him to do and have joy to know it was done. We will never do this in perfection, but we can be faithful to the opportunities the Lord gives.
Paul expresses a similar viewpoint in 2 Timothy 4:6 at the end of his life. He writes about being offered, or poured out-- a reference to the "drink offering," which was wine (a biblical symbol of joy) poured out over the burnt offering during certain feasts (Leviticus 23:13, 18).
In Acts 20:24, Paul desired to finish his race with joy. Later, in 2 Timothy 4:7, he could say, "I have finished the course." A crown of righteousness is added to his crown of rejoicing, and this is available for all those who love the Lord's appearing.
A long-distance race involves many laps. There may have been past moments in the race when we did not do well, when we stumbled or strayed during one of the laps. We cannot change that. But we can run this lap of the race with joy. This lap can be run for the Lord, and with His help we can desire to finish the rest of the course for His glory.