In 1988 Bobby McFerrin released a little song that began with the lyrics:
“Here's a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy”
The song seems to suggest an attitude of nonchalance, of unconcern for the troubles of the world, almost suggesting a flippant approach to life’s worries.
But what if the lyrics instead said, “Don’t worry, be joyful”? Look at how the next line of the song would read,
“In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be joyful
Don't worry, be joyful now”
Yesterday I discussed how peace leads to gratitude and how gratitude leads to joy. Christian joy is not based in our circumstance but instead is based in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Bobby McFerrin’s imperative, almost a command, sounds an awful like scriptures command for believers to be joyful.
In Matthew 6, Jesus tells His followers not to worry about their life, about what they will wear, or eat, because God is aware that we need all of these things. Jesus concludes by saying,
“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” ~ Matthew 6: 33-34
Look towards Psalm 149’s command for God’s children to rejoice,
“Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings with fetters
and their nobles with chains of iron,
to execute on them the judgment decreed.
This is glory for all his faithful ones.
Praise the Lord!”
Also Paul’s command in Philippians 4,
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4: 4-7
Over and over again scripture commands us to be joyful. Joy is even given as one of the fruits of the Spirit, telling us that as we grow in our Christian walk that joy should be one of the visible fruits of our faith. In fact scripture paints joy as a Christian duty, but what about the times when we feel sorrow or despair?
Certainly there are times when we are filled with sorrow. Jesus Himself was called “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” ~ Isaiah: 53:3. Even in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” Matthew: 5:4. Given that the Bible tells us it is perfectly legitimate to experience mourning, sorrow, and grief, these feelings are not wrong for us to have.
However, Jesus’ words could be translated as “Joyful are those who mourn.” How could a person be in mourning and still be joyful? Look back at Paul’s words in Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” The King who has come on Christmas reigns on high and He promises to be with us always until He comes again.
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28: 18-20
If Christ is with us always then we always have reason to rejoice. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. As we remember all that our King has done for us, and we realize that He has shared with us the work of growing His Kingdom, as believers we always have reason to rejoice.
In his sermon “Jubilee Joy—or, Believers Joyful in Their King,” C.H. Spurgeon writes,
[that God] “would have His people happy and, by His Grace, He makes them so! We rejoice in our King because our King makes us rejoice! . . . Blessed religion, in which happiness has become a duty!”
May our expectant hearts sing:
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room
and heav’n and nature sing”
Don’t worry, be joyful,
Jory
Reformed in Tualatin 