Our church has been reading a lot of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, here is my favorite quote of his about joy:
“ A sort of joy exists that knows nothing at all of the heart’s pain, anguish, and dread; it does not last; it can only numb a person for the moment. The joy of God has gone through the poverty of the manger and the agony of the cross; that is why it is invincible, irrefutable. It does not deny the anguish, when it is there, but finds God in the midst of it, in fact precisely there; it does not deny grave sin but finds forgiveness precisely in this way; it looks death straight in the eye, but it finds life precisely within it.”
I've got the joy joy joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart to stay. Learned it in VBS as a little girl and still sing it in my head.
Rejoice always and I say it again, rejoice. Philippians 4:4
(Fill in the blank) can't steal my joy because you didn't give it to me. An airman in basic training told me that and I've never forgotten it. She went through basic training with more joy than most. But her joy came from Jesus and nothing or nobody could steal that.
Communing with the visible and invisible children of God at every Divine Service is a joy beyond describing! That and praying the prayer our Lord taught us - the first word, "OUR" brings great joy. We are His Family!
Christian joy is special because we rejoice in moments that non-Christians would lament. We are also able to rejoice in times of deepest sorrow, standing firmly on the promises of Christ Jesus our Lord.
For me, the gateway to joy is through the thought life. We become joyless when we focus on our circumstances myopically to the exclusion of God's truths. This is hard when our circumstances are overwhelming to us. The temptation is to start with negative self talk which becomes a reinforcing conversation leading us further away from joy.
In a particularly dark time in my life, I was told, "The only thing that can replace a thought, is a stronger thought, and there is nothing stronger than Scripture." And this leads me to what I believe helps us to re-orient ourselves and find joy in the bleak times:
"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." - Phillipians 4:8-9.
This, of course, is after Paul's exhortation to rejoice and the bring everything to God in prayer. And this is also where the Psalms of Lament can help for inspiration on how to pray in tough circumstances.
I do love the old German hymns, even the 'new' old ones: (Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! " Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I've traveled, all your might has come unraveled, and, against your tyranny, God, My Lord, unites with me! LSB 594)
But looking ahead, the music and text of 466 fills me with so much joy that sometimes it is hard to play this as the congregation sings. At 69 years old, it seems like there is air between me and the organ bench - I guess I'm dancing on the pedals...
Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise Him, alleluia.
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy;
Death's fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia.
Each verse is so precious. And, Pastor Wolfmueller, it is hard to find one hymn that typifies that joy. Our hymnal is replete with joy, with comfort, hope, solace, all that strengthens our walk. I didn't even get to LSB 724, If God Himself Be for Me (I may a host defy). Do other congregations sing it, or do pastors shy away from these 10 verses (well, in LSB there are 10.) So - I'll stop here - I don't want to wear you out. But you get my drift, I think.
Another thought - these give me tears of joy. But we are told that in eternal life there will be no tears. I don't recall the qualifier 'of sorrow', so I'm guessing that those tears of joy we have now would just lead to a lot of bumping into each other because we couldn't see if our eyes were all filled with these joyful tears.
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
I am so glad you brought up joy… I needed to be reminded of this. Praise God that our LORD can take things in our life that are painful and then bring joy and victory through the Name of Jesus Christ. ❤️
I rejoice each time I remember that though the battle is fierce and it seems we are overrun by the devil, world, sinful nature, I am baptized, it is finished. Paid in full. And that nothing can separate me from the love of God poured out in Christ Jesus our Lord
Our church has been reading a lot of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, here is my favorite quote of his about joy:
“ A sort of joy exists that knows nothing at all of the heart’s pain, anguish, and dread; it does not last; it can only numb a person for the moment. The joy of God has gone through the poverty of the manger and the agony of the cross; that is why it is invincible, irrefutable. It does not deny the anguish, when it is there, but finds God in the midst of it, in fact precisely there; it does not deny grave sin but finds forgiveness precisely in this way; it looks death straight in the eye, but it finds life precisely within it.”
Fantastic, Reid. Could you post a reference?
Yes it is from: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Works, vol. 16, Conspiracy and Imprisonment: 1940–1945 (Fortress, 2006), 377-378.
An article was written quoting that source by Desiring God here: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-invincible-irrefutable-joy
I've got the joy joy joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart to stay. Learned it in VBS as a little girl and still sing it in my head.
Rejoice always and I say it again, rejoice. Philippians 4:4
(Fill in the blank) can't steal my joy because you didn't give it to me. An airman in basic training told me that and I've never forgotten it. She went through basic training with more joy than most. But her joy came from Jesus and nothing or nobody could steal that.
Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell everyone what He has done.
Let everyone who seeks the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.
He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in JOY with shouts of thanksgiving.
Waiting-for-Easter praise word! Waiting-for-Easter praise word!
Psalm 105:1-3,43
paraphrased as one of the Post-Communion Canticles
in Settings 1 and 2 of the Lutheran Service Book
(And there's a story behind this with two of my daughters!)
Pr Mark Barz
“Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!” —LSB 461
Communing with the visible and invisible children of God at every Divine Service is a joy beyond describing! That and praying the prayer our Lord taught us - the first word, "OUR" brings great joy. We are His Family!
What wondrous love is this,
that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
When I was sinking down
beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb
Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I'm free,
I'll sing His love for me,
And through eternity, I'll sing on.
We played these two songs at our wedding:
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (recessional)
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (processional)
I also like Joy to the World.
Christian joy is special because we rejoice in moments that non-Christians would lament. We are also able to rejoice in times of deepest sorrow, standing firmly on the promises of Christ Jesus our Lord.
For me, the gateway to joy is through the thought life. We become joyless when we focus on our circumstances myopically to the exclusion of God's truths. This is hard when our circumstances are overwhelming to us. The temptation is to start with negative self talk which becomes a reinforcing conversation leading us further away from joy.
In a particularly dark time in my life, I was told, "The only thing that can replace a thought, is a stronger thought, and there is nothing stronger than Scripture." And this leads me to what I believe helps us to re-orient ourselves and find joy in the bleak times:
"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." - Phillipians 4:8-9.
This, of course, is after Paul's exhortation to rejoice and the bring everything to God in prayer. And this is also where the Psalms of Lament can help for inspiration on how to pray in tough circumstances.
Joy is being content knowing that God does everything according to His will for our good.
J-O-Y Jesus first Yourself last Others in between
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
1. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Holy wisdom, love most bright
2. Drawn by Thee our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light
3. Word of God, our flesh that fashioned.
With the fire of life impassioned.
Striving still to truth unknown
Soaring, dying round Thy throne
4. Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings.
5. Where the flock in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
6. Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure,
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own,
In the love of joys unknown.
I do love the old German hymns, even the 'new' old ones: (Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! " Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I've traveled, all your might has come unraveled, and, against your tyranny, God, My Lord, unites with me! LSB 594)
But looking ahead, the music and text of 466 fills me with so much joy that sometimes it is hard to play this as the congregation sings. At 69 years old, it seems like there is air between me and the organ bench - I guess I'm dancing on the pedals...
Christ has arisen, alleluia.
Rejoice and praise Him, alleluia.
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.
Let us sing praise to him with endless joy;
Death's fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!
Jesus is living, alleluia.
Each verse is so precious. And, Pastor Wolfmueller, it is hard to find one hymn that typifies that joy. Our hymnal is replete with joy, with comfort, hope, solace, all that strengthens our walk. I didn't even get to LSB 724, If God Himself Be for Me (I may a host defy). Do other congregations sing it, or do pastors shy away from these 10 verses (well, in LSB there are 10.) So - I'll stop here - I don't want to wear you out. But you get my drift, I think.
Another thought - these give me tears of joy. But we are told that in eternal life there will be no tears. I don't recall the qualifier 'of sorrow', so I'm guessing that those tears of joy we have now would just lead to a lot of bumping into each other because we couldn't see if our eyes were all filled with these joyful tears.
Love this verse -
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
I am so glad you brought up joy… I needed to be reminded of this. Praise God that our LORD can take things in our life that are painful and then bring joy and victory through the Name of Jesus Christ. ❤️
I rejoice each time I remember that though the battle is fierce and it seems we are overrun by the devil, world, sinful nature, I am baptized, it is finished. Paid in full. And that nothing can separate me from the love of God poured out in Christ Jesus our Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHN_ivK1qF8
Jesu, meines Herzens Freude