PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD WEAKER TRANSLATIONS Some versions attach the words "with joyfulness" to the following verse: i.e., "joyously giving thanks" (NASB), "and joyfully giving thanks" (NIV), and "while joyfully giving thanks" (NRSV). This reading is based on a view of the Latin translations. THE REASON FOR JOYFULNESS The reason for joyfulness is not found in the experience of trouble itself. The need for endurance is not the ultimate reason for joyfulness. Nor, indeed, does persecution and tribulation of themselves produce joy. Joyfulness springs from hope, which is caused to shine more brightly when hardships and afflictions are endured. Thus Jesus told His disciples to rejoice "for great is your reward IN HEAVEN" (Matt 5:12). JOYFULNESS IS NECESSARY This kind of joy is not a spiritual luxury, it is a necessity. It is not a sign of advanced spirituality, but of spiritual normalcy. That is why joy is also associated with faith itself: i.e. "the joy of faith" (Phil 1:25). A KNOWLEDGEABLE JOY James also said to "count it ALL JOY when ye fall into divers temptations, KNOWING this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:3). Trials, or tests, are the appointed way of producing patience, or perseverance. When they are approached in faith, they actually make the believers more determined to finish their "course" (2 Tim 4:7). -- Tomorrow:
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 30 of 32
" . . . with joyfulness."
The Holy Spirit now moves us even higher. For some, it is challenging enough to endure to the end. But what of enduring all kinds of trial, and bearing up under all manner of abuse and ill treatment. However, our text does not even leave us thinking that is an appropriate use of "glorious power." The Spirit adds these pungent words, "WITH JOYFULNESS."
The text itself makes more sense when the joyfulness is attached to "all patience and longsuffering." That would involve being "strengthened with all might according to His glorious power." There is a natural association of joy with thanksgiving, because true thanksgiving flows from insight. However, there is a supernatural affiliation of joyfulness with patience and longsuffering.
The idea here is that endurance and longsuffering are made more productive when "joyfulness" is simultaneously being experienced. This is also in keeping with the doctrine of Scripture.
1. "My brethren, count it ALL JOY when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:2-3).
2. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. REJOICE AND BE EXCEEDING GLAD: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Mat 5:12).
3. "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. REJOICE YE IN THAT DAY, AND LEAP FOR JOY: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets" (Luke 6:22-23).
4. "Who now REJOICE in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church" (Col 1:24).
Having seen this truth, when the Apostles were subjected to suffering, they continued to be patient and longsuffering, "REJOICING that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41).
Romans 12:12 refers to "rejoicing in hope," and Romans 5:2 speaks of "rejoicing in hope of the glory of God." When the heart is joyful, we can "abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13). Joy is, therefore, more immediately related to hope – the anticipation of good things to come. Thus we read of "the rejoicing of the hope" (Heb 3:6).
Because of God's "glorious power," the impediments we encounter in the race to glory, and the sufferings we endure along the way, only serve to accent what is ahead. The "much tribulation" through which we must enter into the kingdom (Acts 14:22), thus causes the star of hope to shine all the brighter.
The necessity of joy is affirmed in the book of Hebrews with unquestionable firmness. "But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, IF we hold fast the confidence and the REJOICING OF THE HOPE firm unto the end" (Heb 3:6). Those with a propensity to legalism often tell us what we need to do. Rarely, however, do they ever mention "the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." There are also those who are disposed to continually emphasize what is required to be identified with Christ. You will not hear them mention holding fast "the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."
This is of such critical importance that the Spirit identifies "the rejoicing of the hope" with being part of the "house" over which Jesus presides? Is there any person of sound thought who will affirm we can be saved without being part of that "house?" What can any person hope to receive from Christ who is not in this "house?" Jesus is a "Son over His own house." That house is God's house, for "He that built all things is God" (Heb 3:4). Some of the other versions read that Jesus is "over God's house" (NIV/NRSV). This should not surprise us, for the church is specifically called God's house: "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15).
Make no mistake about this! We are part of that house "IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." That sheds a great deal of light on the prayer of Paul for the Colossians.
PRAYER POINT: Father, In the name of Jesus I thank You for providing the elixir of joy while I am in the midst of trial.