We are living in troubled times. The news seems to only be newsworthy when it is bad news. There is very little happening that makes the heart happy for an extended period. There are lots of instances where we are happy and have temporary joy. The birth of a child is joyful until we become exhausted from taking care of the child. A wedding is joyful, until the first big disagreement. Life is joyful until we are sick or can’t pay our bills. All these circumstances seem to rob us of the joy we once felt. This is a temporary joy!
Temporary joy is based on the circumstances of the moment. It flourishes when it meets our needs and makes us feel good. It allows us a brief period to forget about the problems of the day. The only problem with temporary joy is that it is temporary, it doesn’t last.
In Matthew 13, we read about the different kinds of soil the seeds were sown into. In verse 20, the receiver is represented as rocky ground. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to grow anything, but the soil makes the difference in your success. Rocky ground is not good soil, it’s not much soil at all. This person who is on rocky soil receives the Word of God quickly. They feel the weight of their sin and may fear the consequences of it. They hear about the offer of forgiveness, and the thought of having their wrong absolved causes them to grab hold of this opportunity. He is very joyful in the beginning, but when the excitement is over, or he still has consequences to pay, he is ready to bail on his commitment. He may even blame God for his situation because in his mind, praying to God would fix all his problems. He had no root, and a plant with no root can’t survive. The rains of life come and wash away what little soil there was in the beginning. This person has experienced the temporary joy of being part of a body of believers. They were on an emotional high with no roots to secure them. Their link to the body was not Christ, but their own feelings. True love for the Savior does not exist.
Matthew 13:20-21 “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.”
Now to the good part. While there are many who have temporary joy, there are those who have real joy. Those who Matthew 13:23 tell us were sown on good soil. This soil was ready to hear and believe. Because of their desire, they were able to understand it. Their desire was not a desire based on God fixing their problems. They felt the weight of their sins and believed God had made a way to pardon their sins.
Matthew 13:23 “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Those who have permanent joy are not led by circumstances or emotions. Their joy is deep within them and solid because it is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ. No matter what life throws at them they understand that God is still in control. They believe that Romans 8:28 and 29 are true. These verses teach that all things that happen to those who love God and are seeking to serve Him, will ultimately be for their good. While it may not seem good to us, we understand that God is trying to mold us into the image of His dear Son, Jesus. He is preparing us for Heaven. God is not out to steal our joy; He is proving He is the foundation of real permanent joy.
Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
So, which do you have? Have the circumstances of this present world shaken your faith? Are you frantic and scared for the future? Have all your thoughts been consumed with the virus that has spread around the world? This seems to be the focus of every conversation. It has touched our way of living in almost every area. It has consumed the world. I believe this is Satan’s way of diverting our attention from God and placing our confidence in what man can do. Instead of studying and praying, we spend our time worrying. If this is you, it would be beneficial to examine yourself to see if your joy is permanent or temporary. It may be that your joy is real, but you’re not as strong in Him as you thought you were. Stop and ask God for forgiveness and allow the joy of your salvation to sustain you. I believe the following verses in John give us the pattern for sustaining our joy.
John 15:4-11 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
