The
first time joy(ful) is referenced in the Bible is in I Samuel 18:6.
“When
the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the
women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing
and dancing, with JOYful songs and with tambourines and lutes.” As
they danced, the women were singing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and
David his tens of thousands.” Saul was angry. This song irritated
him. From that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. .
. . The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul.
He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the harp, as he
usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it,
saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded
him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David
but had left Saul. So he sent David away from him and gave him command
over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.
In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.
When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him but all
Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.”
1 Samuel 18:6-16
I think
of all the times I’ve been joyful and sometimes a little “giddy” over something
God has done. I remember others that were jealous and would “try
to burst my bubble” because they did not have that joy. There were
times I felt guilty for being so happy, even though I knew it came from
within. I was told to “grow up”. “Be quiet”. “Sit still”.
When my insides would be bursting with joy from the Lord. Inner “dancing”
joy. It came from joy over something God had done in my life or someone’s
life around me, in good or bad times. Through the years as I’ve drawn
closer to Him and realized that “His Joy” can’t be squelched, I have found
freedom to follow him in obedience nonetheless. To carry on with
what I “usually do” (to keep playing my harp as David did).
To dodge the attacks of a jealous one. To accept that there will
be some that are afraid of me because of my special relationship with the
Lord. It is not me that established this relationship nor do I keep
it. It is God himself who established my personal relationship with
Jesus Christ on the cross over 2000 years ago.
“For
God so loved the world (that’s me and you) that He gave His only
begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have
everlasting life.” John 3:16
“Salvation
is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given
to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
The other
morning I was driving to work and heard the news that the Foreign Aid workers
were released. Two of which were girls that were from Waco, Texas and had
graduated from Baylor University. They had been arrested in Afghanistan
by the Taliban for preaching Christianity. I began to be filled with
joy. A smile spread across my face as I praised God for their release.
He releases some and others he doesn’t. These HE did. I was
rejoicing because they were coming home. I thought about the reason
they had been arrested. Could I have taken their place?
In the
school district where I am employed I was informed that we were not to
mention Christmas in any form or fashion. Santa Claus or the birth of Jesus.
We are to call it a Winter Holiday. Now let me tell you, I was born
in Texas and outside of a few out of state moves, I’ve been in Central
Texas most of my life. I am what they call a Texan. Winter
is a very “mild” word here in Texas. It does not mean parkas and
snowmen. It means running from building to car to store to home when
there is a chill in the air. More than likely the next day you will
be wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
I found
humor in this request for a ‘Winter Holiday”. Then I felt grief.
Sadness over where our school district has gone. I wondered, “is
this how the Taliban took over”? Slowly made its rules for all when
they should have just applied to those who believed the way they did.
Again, robbed of the Joy of His Birth during this Christmas season.
I love Him so. How am I going to go through a Christmas without the
mention of Jesus’ birth? I’m at work 8 plus hours a day, that’s
40 hours a week, 160 hours a month. So, 160 hours of my awake
time my mouth will be silenced of Christmas. Think again, my
mouth may be silenced but not my heart. I will spend my days in prayer
while I am working. I will pray for His wisdom in my days.
I will pray that His message will shine forth in spite of this man-made
rule. I will pray for a miracle.
In Ephesians
18-20, Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God. He explains it well.
At the end, Paul commands the Ephesians to pray. I make this my prayer
today and the days to come. Paul says, “Pray
in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to
me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for
which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly,
as I should.”
Your
fellow ambassador,
Martha
"Grace
to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” Eph. 6:24
