THE ABSENCE OF JOY

From My Perspective - - -

We have completed almost one week of a new year but nothing seems to have changed. We are trying to forge our way Amid The Cultural Chaos. A sense of helplessness and hopelessness is the experience of many. There is frustration over the futility one senses regarding the direction of the nation and its economy. Multitudes of people have bypassed religion and Biblical guidelines for life and choose to look to the government for direction and as their resource. With whatever the government extends as a response to the expressed and obvious needs, those who seek it are not satisfied and desire more. Genuine joy is absent in individual lives and despondency surfaces and seemingly prevails. One does not need to look far to see individuals with a downcast spirit – those who feel crushed, oppressed, and who have essentially given up.

Biblical note is made in terms of those who are in that state of mind. In Proverbs 17:22 is this poignant declaration and comparison, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” The movement within our culture is away from a Triune God. Despite that effort, some questions are valid for consideration: (1) Is God Mindful of those with a downcast spirit – those who feel crushed and overwhelmed? (2) Has the Lord made any provision for those with a downcast spirit? (3) Is there any Biblical hope or remedy for one? There is a clear distinction between a broken and crushed spirit because of the circumstances of life that are overwhelming – and – brokenness before God in humility and contriteness. King David arrived at this conclusion after he started to deal with gross sin in his life, namely, adultery with Bathsheba and arranging for the inconvenient death of her husband in the field of battle. He states this succinctly in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” 

There is an important account given in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The people have been in exile and Jerusalem has become a wasteland. When Nehemiah hears the report about the conditions that exist, he immediately seeks the Lord and he prays (Nehemiah 1:5-7): "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, Who keeps his covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night for Your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against You. We have acted very wickedly toward You. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws You gave Your servant Moses.” These are the beginning steps in humbly seeking the Lord with a contrite heart and spirit. If any positive result and heavenly intervention is to occur, it must begin at this point. 

In Nehemiah 8:9-12, there is an additional step one must take. The Word of the Lord and the Law of God must be front and center in the midst and the minds of the people. As the people are assembled, we observe: “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people: This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep. For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them: Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites calmed all the people, saying: Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved. And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” Echoing this same truth, in Psalm 28:6-8, “Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.” 

The bottom-line is this: Looking to government will only lead to more frustration and disappointment; looking to God in contrite prayer and His Word for guidance and instruction will result in strength and joy. The only way to experience this positive result is to do it sooner rather than later. Begin now to let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Consider these things with me.