Joy in Obedience

“The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.” (Proverbs 10:28 N.L.T)

The birth of Isaac brought a smile to the faces of his elderly parents and that is why they gave him his name which means “laughter”. He was a peace loving man who might have looked on with a hint of amusement as people struggled within their own powers to provide for themselves. People might have judged him passive, but he knew first hand that the Lord provides. He had once been about to be sacrificed and was laid out on the altar, when a substitute sacrificial lamb was provided by God! In Genesis 26, we read that when there was a famine in Canaan, Isaac trusted God and obeyed him: staying put in Canaan instead of going to Egypt as his father had done. The Lord prospered him: giving him a bountiful harvest, flocks, servants and other riches. But the people were jealous and filled up all his wells. Undeterred, and without bitterness or effort to fight for any perceived rights, he kept moving camp and opening up new wells which they also filled up. He kept on prospering nevertheless and the people realized that he was special. God was with him. They decided that they needed to sign a peace treaty with him. He agreed, forgave them, and even threw them a big party of celebration (where there was probably a lot of laughter).

Ease up as you persevere through your circumstances in full obedience to God.  He knows all about it and your faith will not be in vain.

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“Joy, not grit, is the hallmark of holy obedience. We need to be light-hearted in what we do to avoid taking ourselves too seriously. It is a cheerful revolt against self and pride. Our work is jubilant, carefree, merry. Utter abandonment to God is done freely and with celebration. And so I urge you to enjoy this ministry of self-surrender. Don't push too hard. Hold this work lightly, joyfully. The saints throughout the ages have witnessed to this reality.... You know, of course, that they are not speaking of a silly, superficial, bubbly kind of joy like that flaunted in modern society. No, this is a deep, resonant joy that has been shaped and tempered by the fires of suffering and sorrow; joy through the cross, joy because of the cross”. Richard J. Foster

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