Joy is universal. Everyone feels it, everyone likes it, and everyone longs for it! Joy is a feeling, and yet, it is much more than a feeling. Joy can arise through a circumstance, but is not merely circumstantial. Joy can be found from the cradle to the grave, and many points in between. Joy cannot be counterfeited, nor can it be stolen. Joy is a little taste of Heaven!
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. 27 Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness (Hebrew: literally joy) are in His place. 1 Chron 16:26-27
While everyone experiences joy at one time or another, not all joy comes from the same source. Sometimes our joy is gained from another person, and sometimes another person will try and rob us of our joy. The joys of this life are often glimpses of, rather than derived from, the Kingdom of God.
But for those who hear and believe the “good tidings” that the Lord’s angel declared one fateful night long ago, there is “great joy” available for all people.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
This, my friend, is Heaven’s joy!
Heaven’s joy had come to earth! Heaven’s greatest treasure and richest blessing was delivered that night in human form. Joy had arrived and it was spreading. Each person who was visited by His angel or overcome by His Spirit was experiencing a revival of joy. They had waited so long for the consolation of Israel, and at His word, joy erupted from their hearts in the form of praises to God. Among them were the offspring of the great king David, a descendant of Aaron the first priest, a Levite serving in the House of God, and a prophetess who had made temple service her life. But the source of Heaven’s joy was not reserved for them alone. On the night of Christ’s birth, the announcement of “good tidings of great joy” came in the most extraordinary fashion to the most ordinary people:
Shepherds.
Humble, Gentle, Careful, Watchful, Nomads.
Who better to oversee and announce the arrival of the Lamb of God? Who better to esteem a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a feeding trough than those who smelled the same? Who better to spread the good news of the one who had no place to lay His head than those whose home was wherever the sheep would lay theirs?
I asked my children the other night why they thought God chose to announce Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. One of them replied, “because they were awake.” How true. How profound!
The first pastors were pastors. Men who spent their days and nights in open fields were ushered into the secret place of God’s presence. Those who were willing to give their life for their sheep beheld the Lamb who would lay down His life for them. In the quest for green pastures and still waters they had come to the Bread of Life and the Living Water. But before they entered the House of Bread they would have to become like the sheep they led. They would have to hear and believe, follow and trust.
That is how the joy of Heaven comes to earth. It comes from hearing and believing, following and trusting in the good news. The good tidings of great joy that were announced that night continue to be for all people. Every age, every nation, and to all generations, this good news must be heralded and heard. Wherever the sun rises and sets, wherever darkness and oppression hide, and wherever sorrow and mourning are heard, there the “good tidings of great joy” shall be proclaimed. It was part of the purpose for which Christ was born, and it is part of the essence of His kingdom come. The prophets foretold it, and Jesus himself fulfilled it.
The Spirit is Upon me…3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; Isaiah 61:3
If joy is the sustenance of our souls, then we, too, must rely on our soul’s Shepherd to supply it! Rather than the passing comforts and fleeting pleasures that soothe but do not heal, we are invited to enter into His presence and have Him apply, and re-apply, the balm of the oil of joy, for “In (His) presence is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11).
Learn from the shepherds. They went from abiding in their fields to abiding in His presence. They wasted no time and took no detour in making their way to the Savior. They set aside earthly cares and temporal duties to pursue the source of their joy, and they found Him! And we are not unlike them. Though we may not see the source of our joy with human eyes, we have heard the voice of many messengers. We, too, are given the faith to place in His herald. Although we live in time of darkness, full of sorrow and grief, this joy can be our joy if we will simply believe!
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory , 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9
Such as I have I give,
In Jesus’ name
