DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE JOY OF JESUS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE JOY OF JESUS

"Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality." (II Corinthians 8:1-2)

The churches of Macedonia were suffering tribulation because they did not conform to the state and societal demands. When people don't conform to the norms of the culture, they find themselves at odds with society. There is a price to pay for being a Christ-follower.

But this did not cause them sadness. It may have affected their financial condition bringing them deep poverty. But that did not cause them to lose their joy that they found in Jesus which abounded in their liberal giving.

Their response to tribulation and trials reflected the life of the Lord Jesus, Who, as the Apostle spoke of in verse 9, "though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." And the writer to the Hebrews wrote that "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2) The Churches in Macedonia experienced this. We can be poor in worldly resources, yet rich in spirit, and people who are rich in spirit have a joy that flows out of their innermost being.

We are in conflict with the world around us that is controlled by ungodly world-views and philosophies. We may even suffer some "trial of affliction" because of that conflict, but we can still live in joy, even if we come to poverty. The joy of the freedom in our spirits from condemnation and the prospect of eternity with Jesus set before us can help us keep our joy in the midst of trials.

There is joy in serving Jesus.

Love, Dad