Joy That Knows No Bounds

   Do you know what it is to be afraid of something or someone? To wish there could be some good news for a change? Never to experience real joy? Not to be able to live life to the full? I knew someone once to whom these circumstances applied. Perhaps you might find it helpful to hear what I told them.

   ‘The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation’. So wrote Henry Thoreau.

   “But it doesn’t have to be that way, Paul, no matter how dire your circumstances. Consider for a moment just these two sentences taken from the Bible: “Don’t be frightened; I am the bearer of wonderful news that will bring great joy to everyone. This very night in the city of David, a Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord”.

   “Before we’re through, Paul, I want to show you that, just by concentrating on these few words, let alone every word of God, you can leave behind your life of quiet desperation for all time to come. By the way, I could have chosen many other passages from the Bible, but I selected this one, not just because of what it has to say to us directly, but because it speaks of birth, of a new beginning if you will, which is what I hope to give you today. Remember, Paul, today is the first day of the rest of your life and I mean to make it count, to make it memorable.

   “Let’s now look more closely at some of the most encouraging words in these two uplifting sentences. And let us do so slowly and carefully, savoring each one, that its real meaning, its true significance, may lead to a life-changing experience for you.

   “ ‘Don’t be frightened’: wouldn’t it be wonderful never to be afraid again? But people don’t say these words to you, even those who know the extent of the trials you are going through, do they? The most they might say is, “Don’t worry”, but that’s much easier said than done, isn’t it?

   “And yet Jesus himself said, “Don’t be troubled, and do not be afraid. Everything will be all right. It is I: do not be frightened. Have no fear. I am with you. Do not get upset for I am your God. I will give you all the strength and help you need. I will support you with my strong right arm”.

   “Elsewhere the Bible admonishes us, “Be strong, and courageous, all you who wait on the Lord. Fear no one, for God it is who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. For He gave us a Spirit of power, of love and of self-control, not of fear and timidity”.

   “With these stirring words ringing in your ears, Paul, your fears should be fast disappearing, so what if we replaced them with some really good news? Isn’t it true there’s so little of this about today, no matter which media you choose? But if you were living in desperate times, wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone actually gave you something to feel good about?

   “The Bible states, ‘Good news from far away is like cold water to someone who is thirsty’. Here the Good News is about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God who came as a man, born into the royal family line of King David. God had promised this Good News a long time ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures. And when Jesus did come, people listened intently to what He had to say because He performed many miracles, including healing a number of people who were paralyzed or otherwise infirm. This brought great joy to everyone.

   “Reading from a scroll containing the messages of Isaiah the prophet, Jesus Himself said, “God’s Spirit has come to me, for He has instructed me to preach the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to announce that prisoners will be set free, blind people will see, those who are oppressed will be freed from their tyranny, and the time of God’s favor has arrived”.

   “Is that not the most wonderful news, Paul? And as if that weren’t enough, how would you like to experience, not just joy, but ‘great joy’?

   “Listen for a moment again to Jesus: “You haven’t asked for anything in my name up to now. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will know no bounds”.

   “Referring to Jesus, the Bible records, ‘You love Him though you have never seen Him, and though you don’t see Him now, you believe in Him and experience a joy so heartfelt you can’t even begin to express it, for you are receiving your reward, your soul’s salvation’.

   “In times of trial, the Bible reminds us, ‘They will return to Jerusalem singing with everlasting joy; they will be overcome with gladness and joy, and all their sorrow and grief will be gone. Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of any kind, because with the testing of your faith comes perseverance. And as perseverance grows, you will develop a strong character, equipping you for any eventuality. I have great confidence in you; you make me very proud. I am greatly encouraged because you bring me joy. You may cry all night; but joy will come in the morning. Those who sow tearfully will reap joyfully. It is good to enjoy your work and be content with your lot in life – this is a gift from God. Those who have this experience seldom look back in sadness, for God has given them reasons to be joyful’.

   “Paul, by now your fear has gone, you’re receiving unparalleled good news, and you are experiencing great joy, a joy that knows no bounds; but ‘you’ doesn’t just mean you alone, Paul, – it embraces everyone – you, me, everyone – no one, but no one is excluded. So don’t think your circumstances, or those of anyone else, no matter how desperate they may seem to be, will put you or anyone else beyond God’s power and desire to help.

   “In his letter to the Romans, Paul the apostle posed - and answered – these questions: “Is there anything that can separate us from Christ’s love? Whatever may befall us – catastrophe, persecution, hunger, destitution, danger or even the threat of death - does it mean Christ doesn’t love us anymore? No, absolutely not: inspite of all these things, we are victorious through Christ and His love for us, from which nothing, absolutely nothing, can ever separate us”.

   “Who then exactly is ‘our Savior who is Christ the Lord’? Here’s just one answer the Bible has to give us amongst countless others, all of them wonderfully reassuring: ‘When people call out to God in time of need, He will send a Savior to them who will meet that need’.

   “That, then, is the message I wanted most earnestly to impart to you, Paul, and for you to share with anyone you might meet whose life is one of quiet desperation. In a word, I want you to have four blessings you never appreciated you had before but which will now be with you from this day forth: freedom from fear, good news, great joy, and a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

   “I began with the words of Henry Thoreau: let me end with those of Jesus Christ: “I came that they might live an abundant life. I tell you this so that you may be filled to overflowing with my joy, now and forever” ”.

For further reading: John 14:1, 27; Matthew 14:27; Isaiah 41:10-13, 43:5, 44:8; Psalms 31:24; Matthew 17:7; Mark 5:36; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Psalms 27:14; 2 Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 25:25; Mark 1:1; Acts 8:4-8; Romans 1:2-3; Luke 4:17-19; Isaiah 61:1-2; John 16:24; 1 Peter 1:8; Isaiah 35:10, 51:11; James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Psalms 30:5, 126:5-6; Ecclesiastes 5:19-20; Romans 8:35-39; Psalms 17:7; Isaiah 19:20, 43:11, 45:21, 63:8; Luke 1:46-55; 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 4:10; Titus 3:4-5; Jude 1:24-25; John 10:10, 15:11