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Friday, October 14, 2005
Back on the topic of JOY
I remember the day I got it: My acceptance letter to Auburn University.
Sure, it's a state school. Sure it's pretty much a football factory. But it's the only place I ever really wanted to go to college. My dad had gone there and he used to take me to football games and basketball games and baseball games there. It really did feel like home. I never really even prayed about it. I just knew that's where I wanted to go.
The tricky part was I opened that letter on a spring day in 1983. I wouldn't graduate until a summer day in 1984.
But I was IN. All I had to do was send in my final transcript.
So, my junior year in high school it was all settled. All I had to do was pass my classes and send them the deal and I would be a member of the Auburn Family (seriously, that's what they call it).
But my senior year had stresses and trials. Times got tough. There were classes that seemed intent on not letting me pass them (namely Algebra II & Calculus). My rehabilitation on my leg got me down. It seemed like everything was coming down at once with job and family and Christmas gifts and girlfriend and sports and it just wouldn't be worth it.
And then I could look at the letter I had tacked up on my bulletin board: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the Auburn Universtiy Family beginning in the Fall of 1984..."
It could make me smile...just knowing that part of my future was settled could give me hope...which led to a smile...or joy...or realization that this was just a speedbump in the road. I'd be back up to full-speed soon enough.
Over the last two days, we've taken a bit of a detour to focus on the background of Psalm 132...why David was "afflicted" and how that joy turned into celebration. But let's take a look at the rest of Psalm 132 and find some more points on joy.
From verses 11 & 12:
"The Lord has sworn to David, a truth from which He will not turn back: 'Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne. If your sons will keep my covenant, and My testimony which I shall teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever." Something that gave David comfort and joy: The promises of God.
See, David had been told by God that his kingdom would have no end. Is there a better promise for a full-time king? I can't think of one.
Now, David might not have understood what that meant, really, as far as logistics go. But he was used to that. He'd been annointed king at age 17 or so and didn't ascend to the throne for 15 years. He'd had a pretty good training ground of knowing that God's promises would come true even if he wasn't exactly sure of "how" they would.
Which would give him joy. Think about it. Times get tough. They look bleak. Pressure all around you. And just think: My kingdom will have no end.
From verses 13--16:
"For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is my resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy bread. Her preists also I will clothe with salvation; And her godly ones will sing aloud for joy."
The Lord chose Zion. It's always cool to be chosen...even if it's being picked to be on the team on the playground. And here, the Holy One of the Universe has chosen them.
Zion is where He wants to live. Think about that for a second. Suppose Bono from U2 chose to live in your house. You'd think that was pretty cool, too. And the Holy One of the Universe has chosen their home to live.
It's where He wants to live forever, too. Think about that one: Where do you want to retire? It's likely some dream location that you always like to go to in order to get away from it all! Maybe the mountains, maybe the beach (Zion has both). But God wants to live there forever.
He will bless her abundantly. More than enough of everything they need.
The needy won't do without. They'll get what they need.
Salvation will be the message of choice.
There will be singing and celebration.
One problem:
It's all in the future. It hasn't happened yet. Nor will it happen in David's lifetime. He's fully aware these promises will be fulfilled in future generations.
But...when the days grew long, stressful and dark...
...he knew they would happen.
...and he could think about the future.
...and he could hope and he could dream.
And this would give him joy when he needed it most.
So, for today, how does hope lead to joy? Has there been a time in your life when there was a promise of something in the future that gave you encouragement to press on because of the hope implied within it? Tell us about it!
Brent 3:39 AM
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