“The joy of the Lord is your strength, and the person of Christ is your unassailable joy—and the battle for joy is nothing less than fighting the good fight of faith.”
Ann Voskamp
Passage
28Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses.
29He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed.
30Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven.
31Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!
Psalm 107:28–31 (NASB95)
Background
Quote-Ann Voskamp is a Canadian author, blogger, and memoirist on themes of Christian women's spirituality, and the author of multiple books, including the New York Times bestseller, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, as well as The Broken Way: A Daring Path Into the Abundant Life and WayMaker: Finding the Way to the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of.
Ann Voskamp was born and raised in North Perth, Ontario, in a farming community. She began her blog, titled "A Holy Experience" with a focus on the homeschooling of her children. Voskamp also used the blog to count blessings as a way to address fears, which led to interest from a literary agent. In 2011, her blog was listed as #85 in the Babble.com list of Top 100 Mom Blogs.
Passage-The genre of Psalms is Songs and Poetry of all kinds. It is written by multiple authors; David wrote 73, Asaph wrote 12, the sons of Korah wrote 9, Solomon wrote 3, Ethan, and Moses each wrote one (Ps. 90), and 51 of the Psalms are anonymous. They were written over the span of approximately 900 years (Beginning at the time of Moses 1440 B.C. and through the captivity in 586 B.C.).
The Psalms include praises of joy, laments, blessings, and thanksgivings. They are directed at God and they help us to express and communicate ourselves to Him. We read about the Psalmist’s emotions from one extreme to another, from praising, delighting in and worshiping God with fervor, to repentance and crying out to Him in despair.
Psalms sits at the very center of the Bible. The major themes found in Psalms are Praise, God’s Power, Forgiveness, Thankfulness and Trust. “My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever” (145:21).
Opening Statement
Fighting the good fight of faith is important and shouldn’t be fought alone. The Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and the great cloud of witnesses should be at our side for this fight, but also for the party after the fight.
Ask: What gives you hope during difficulties?
Point: Hope tends to begin when we think we’ve finally identified the solution to the problem or puzzle we are facing.
Ask: What is the typical reaction when we finally discover the answer to our question or problem?
Point: “I’ve found it!”
Ask: Is there a problem with this approach to hope?
Point: Yes. It centers on self instead of God. Please read the following:
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5–7 (NASB95)
Ask: But that seems so unfair that I am in difficulties and others who don’t believe have it so easy. Why is this fair?
Point: We are to “do not lean on your own understanding” and “Trust in the Lord.” Please read the following:
44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 5:44–46 (NASB95)
Ask: Why does it have to be that way? Why can’t it just be easy?
Point: For someone watching your struggles, your example could prove the resolve of faith is warranted and give them courage. Please read the following:
2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:2–5 (NASB95)
Ask: What does this have to do with rejoicing to the Lord after the storm or while I’m still in it?
Point: We never know who is watching and what judgment they are making.
Ask: Okay, so how do we do this “rejoicing to the Lord” thing?
Point: Please read the following:
1My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.
3Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:1–4 (NASB95)
Ask: That’s just the first four verses before the other reading. How does that tell me how to “rejoice in the Lord?”
Point: It is the answer to the Proverbs 3:5-7 reading. Please read the following:
8It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
9Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;
10So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof,
12For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:8–12 (NASB95)
Ask: I still don’t understand how that is rejoicing to the Lord or why I should do it?
Point: Recognize it is God guiding your path. When you are obedient to the guide that is the Holy Spirit you are being obedient to God.
Ask: I don’t feel joyful or even hopeful. How do I get there whether I’m in the storm or just after?
Point: You don’t do it. You Let God do it. Please read the following:
10Again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”
11And again, “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, And let all the peoples praise Him.”
12Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”
13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:10–13 (NASB95)
Closing Statement
It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we find hope. It is through God’s gracious love that we find solace. It is in His Son that we find salvation and in no other place or person. When we shift our eyes and focus off the Son in the storm or after it we are allowing the World to take the place of that which earned the right to be foremost in our minds and hearts. When we keep Jesus at the center of our personal world we discover a peace that cannot be contained and through which we cannot keep from praising His wonderful kindness. Let our lives be so ordered that those who see us see a light reflected from the source of all goodness, hope, and joy. In Him we rejoice always and give thanks. Anything else is an idol from the camp of the enemy.
Questions for the Week
Question 1 When something great happens in your life, how do you celebrate or “rejoice” about it?
Question 2 Are you being intentional about rejoicing in the Lord or only in church or when it randomly occurs to you?
Question 3 Are you asking things of God more or thanking God more?
Question 4 Carry something to write with and on everyday this week. Any time something worthy of thanking God happens, write it down.
Question 5 At the end of the week, thank God for all He did for you that week by “rejoicing” as outlined in your answer to Question 1 if you are able.
Definitions
rejoice
ri-jois
verb (used without object),re·joiced, re·joic·ing.
1. to be glad; take delight (often followed by in):to rejoice in another's happiness.
verb (used with object),re·joiced, re·joic·ing.
2. to make joyful; gladden:a song to rejoice the heart.
joy
joi
noun
1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation:She felt the joy of seeing her son's success.
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated:Her prose style is a pure joy.
verb (used without object)
5. to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.
verb (used with object)
6. Obsolete. to gladden.