SORROW TURNING INTO JOY

JOHN 16:16–24

“… you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy”

(John 16:20).

The ever-present tension between sorrow and joy in the Christian experience is a surprise to new believers (and even many older ones). Many rightly embrace their new faith with all the exuberance of a child opening his first Christmas present. But, disappointment soon sets in as struggles with sin, never-ending conflicts within the church, and persecutions from a hostile world all descend to chase away the first-fruits of joy and gladness.

The hardship of the Christian life is a reality we must all face. We cannot live with the expectation that things will be easy. Temptations will rob us of our peace. Backslidings will steal away our assurances. Dear Christian friends and teachers will come and go. Sermons will bring blessing yet conflict as we struggle to conform to the truth. Times of prayer will at once lift us on the wings of intimacy with God then drop us to the depths as distracting thoughts and sinful preoccupations leave us frustrated. Likewise, fellowship with other believers will offer the greatest satisfaction as we share our love for Christ, while at the same time pride and discord will disrupt even the most intimate and loving relationships. This is just a sketch of the sorrows of the Christian life, and there are many more to be sure.

The sorrows of the Christian experience can never be denied, but neither can the joy. There is an abiding joy that remains on a steady course through our hearts, like a gentle undercurrent in a turbulent river. We have the assurance of Christ’s promises, the hope of His return, and the expectation of glory. In particular, we have the hope that our sorrow will turn into joy, our weeping into dancing. When we shed the sorrowful rags of this world, we will be dressed by Christ Himself in joyful robes of glory, and even the greatest joys of this life cannot compare with the glory of being with Christ.

The next time your heart is filled with sorrow, the next time you turn a bitter eye toward the world with all its vain delights, the next time you falter in the battle against sin, remember: “you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (v. 22).

CORAM DEO

Proverbs 21–22

2 Corinthians 4

WEEKEND

Proverbs 23–27

2 Corinthians 5–6

Read and pray through Psalm 30. Meditate on those verses that speak of the joy that comes from suffering for Christ’s sake. Jesus said that if we share in His glory, we must share in His sufferings. Tell God the sorrows and struggles of your heart. Pray that you will know fully the joy of His love and grace.

For further study: Isa. 40:27–31 • Rom. 8:18–30 • 2 Cor. 4:16–18

WEEKEND