Through The Storm
Imagine for a moment the dawning of a brand new spring day. A gentle breeze courses through trees filled with sweetly singing birds. The cool serenity of the early morning fills the air and refreshingly permeates to the soul. As the sun peaks its head over the horizon, its rays stream at the speed of light to cover the earth and the spirit of man with its warmth and joy. All is well as the peace and joy of life reigns with the birth of this new day.
The morning progresses with abounding joy until around late morning when clouds begin to roll in. At first, only a few paint the sky with their fluffy, white wisps. A slight uptick in the breeze bestows a breath of comfort and peace. By early afternoon, the little, white fluffs become a foreboding array, dispensing uneasiness where the joy of the sun once danced. By late afternoon, the skies grow eerily dark.
With a sudden and steady thrust of the wind, the storm arrives. Rain begins to fall and everyone scrambles for cover. For what seems hours, the rain is driven sideways by the howling wind. By late evening, as the temperature rapidly drops, rain freezes and then turns to snow. All through the night, wind roars through the trees, violently bending them in the tumult, to what seems their breaking point.
As morning dawns, the sun is totally obscured by gloomy skies. Only a faint light can be seen. Winds continue to howl, blowing snow and bending trees like flags being waved in the air. All through the day the storm rages, then once again into the night. By early morning the winds abate, allowing the snow to gently fall. By that afternoon, the light grows a little brighter through thinning clouds.
Even with the ceasing of the wind and snow, the clouds continue to obscure the sun for several days before it finally spreads its unabated warmth and joy. Within a few days thereafter, the winter wonderland is all but gone and spring once again dances in the air. The tranquility of peace and joy, interrupted for a time by chaos and sadness, is revived.
Our lives are replete with such cycles of peace and contentment (skies of blue) to chaos and sadness (trials and adversities) and back again. It's a natural occurrence that can't be avoided in this life. It's a bending of spirit and soul that, if done enough, could cause a serious breach or irreparable break. For serenity of spirit and sanity of soul, a way must be found for us to remain as flexible as the wind driven trees in every situation--that one may bend but never crack or break.
Roots of Bitterness
Just like the seasons, storms of life will come and go. The storm above could be a life-threatening adversity if you are unfortunately stuck out in it. People often get stuck in such Alaskan storm. Sadly, many of them don't make it out alive. I'm writing mostly about things occurring in our lives deemed not the way we planned them, maybe the loss of a job or loved one. The examples are too great and expansive to place here.
It's rather easy to experience peace and joy when the sun is shinning, with challenges simple and few. It's a totally different thing to manifest peace and joy when the storm is raging within our souls, with overwhelming trials. Even so, it's not an unattainable attribute. The question begged is, will our adversities control us, or will we control them? Consider the writer of Hebrews concerning the former.
"...looking diligently lest any man fail (or fall short) of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be
defiled..." Hebrews 12: 15
I first want to point out that "bitterness" doesn't hurt just the person who is bitter. It emanates from that person and infects everyone around him. Because of his bitterness, "many be defiled". As we might say it in our day, "it's not a victim-less crime".
"Bitterness" in this usage presents a literal or figurative sense of "acridity", especially as a "poison". It's use also challenges the reader to avoid even the "root" of this poisonous attribute. Don't even let its seed be planted. If planted, uproot it before it begins. Truly, it is a poison that eats at the very spirit and soul of a man. Consider Miriam Webster's definition of "acrid".
"Acrid: 1. sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor: irritating, acrid smoke. 2. deeply or violently bitter: acrimonious; an acrid denunciation."
"Acrimonious: angry and bitter :caustic, biting, or rancorous especially in feeling, language, or manner; an acrimonious dispute".
Miriam Webster Dictionary
"Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. What shall I say? he has both spoken unto me, and Himself has done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul. O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so will You recover me, and make me to live. Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but You have in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for You have cast all my sins behind Your back."
Isaiah 38: 14-17
Bitterness is an attribute common to all men. It's inherent within and we necessarily gravitate to it when adversity comes our way. Hezekiah shows us the proper course of action. He recognizes his sinful nature and confesses it to God. Then, he speaks an affirmation of faith. The Lord has delivered him from the pit of corruption and cast all his sin behind His back.
Preceded by spring and fall, the seasons of summer and winter are somewhat predictable. On the other hand, seasons of our lives are usually very unpredictable, with winters "blind-siding" us at the most inopportune times. It is in these times it becomes incumbent upon us to employ proper focus. I've heard it said, "It's not what happens to us that counts. It's how we react to it". If we dwell upon or focus improperly upon our deemed misfortunes, bitterness and its companions start knocking at our doors. Consider the experiences of Paul.
"...not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Yeshua Who strengthens me." Philippians 4: 11-13
The "Serenity Prayer" says, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference". Paul expresses the spirit of this prayer in his acquired attribute of "self-contentment". Like Paul, it's not what happens to us that matters. Rather, it's totally about how we "re-act" to our "storms of life".
Let This Mind Be In You
The pain and sorrow experienced by way of trials and adversities of our lives is very real...and human. To arbitrarily dismiss them could be considered masochism, and become more dangerous than actually dwelling upon them. On the other hand, turning them over to Father and letting Him deal with them is true wisdom. With us, the task varies anywhere from difficult to impossible. Yet, "with Him all things are possible", and easily within His scope of His ability. Do it the easy way...trust Him first.
It is written that Yeshua "was tempted in every way as man, yet without sin". For our sake, He experienced the ups and downs of human life. When He endured trials, He turned to Father for strength and purpose. Even through the pain and torment of His ultimate "storm" on the cross, He focused upon Father and was able to count the ordeal as a joy. Consider the writer of Hebrews.
"...looking unto Yeshua the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12: 2
Crucifixion is not an easy way to experience death, and the Romans had perfected it to an art. Long nails were driven through Yeshua's wrists and feet, pinning Him to a jagged cross. He was lifted up and suspended in agony above the crowd, while His life blood slowly seeped from His wounds. In order to breathe, He was forced to push upward with His feet. With every drop of blood lost, His strength dissipated, causing Him to slowly suffocate in the unbearable heat of the day.
Even so, Yeshua "endured". He "stayed under", as the meaning of the word describes. He "underwent and bore his trial with fortitude and perseverance." All this He did "for the joy set before Him". When He said, "It is finished" and breathed His last, He walked among us for a time and then "sat down at the right hand of God". Because He endured rather than summon a legion of angels awaiting His command to rescue Him, we can endure the greatest trial of all...death. Because He endured, we, too, can also enter into His joy, now AND in the kingdom.
Death is the ultimate of trials, yet, for His followers, it's now a door into a world where joy never ceases, and storms never torment. That's a fact accepted by many for some future time. Yet, they can't grasp the concept of the same in life's daily routine. Trails and adversities are tenaciously held onto and relegated to "life-altering or ending" categories. While their bodies live on, the spirit and soul of the man broods, coddles, and enshrines their negative event/s...then just lays down and dies from bitterness and resentment.
I have heard is said of trials and tribulations, "This, too, shall pass". It certainly was true of Yeshua. He counted it as joy because He knew His reward. He would enter into His glory with the Father, and, in so doing, would provide a way for us to join Him. The path to joy begins in this life and has everything to do with focus. I have also heard the admonition to consider the trail of another man. In that, our trials tend to be not that bad after all. So, why fret? Consider the words of Paul to the Philippians.
"If there be therefore any consolation in Messiah, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels (pity or sympathy) and mercies, fulfill my joy, that you be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Messiah Yeshua..." Philippians 2: 1-5
Trails of Testing
It is written that Yeshua went into the wilderness and fasted for forty days. According to the account, the devil came to Him and tempted Him three times. Each time, he tried to redirect Yeshua's focus--the stones, the pinnacle of the temple, and the kingdoms of the earth. Like with the first sin in the garden, the enemy uses the same old tactic of re-direction of focus. I can just imagine Yeshua with a confident, one sided grin and slow shaking of His head, as He responded affirmatively and positively to each temptation. Through Him, we have the power to do the same regarding our trials, inasmuch as we will allow ourselves. Consider James.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing that the trying of your faith works patience. But, let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
James 1: 2-4
Consider the apostle's admonition to the opposite.
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
James 1: 13-17
James is speaking directly to us in our generation. In 1: 1, He says he's writing to "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad". He's telling us to "joy in temptation (trials)". These things come into our lives and are used to transform the same for our good (Rom. 8: 28). If we yield or succumb to these things, we do so of our own accord. To thusly react, we bring death upon our spirit and soul, usually long before the body dies. Only good comes from the Father "in Whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning". Rejoice greatly in that blessing!
Joy in Alef/Tav
According to Strong's word search, "joy" appears 165 times throughout the Bible. With various Hebrew and Greek words used, the meanings usually depict various aspects of gladness and rejoicing. In addition to "joy", the word, "gladness" appears 47 times. "Glad" appears 89 times. The word, "rejoice" appears a whopping 192 times, all three latter words using mostly the same Hebrew and Greek words as with "joy".
One word for "joy" in Hebrew that struck close to my heart is "teruah", which, inclusive of other instruments, speaks to joyous blowing of trumpets, as a battle cry. Another word for "joy" is "ranan", and suggests a "shouting for joy". The word, "rua", is used to convey "an ear-splitting sound", as in "make a joyful noise".
In 41: 22, Job described his "sorrow to joy" experience as a "leaping". In 43: 4, the psalmist describes his "exceeding joy" as a gladness that takes an outward turning...maybe even an inward "revolution (as in revolt)" to turn sorrow to joy. In 52: 9, Isaiah tells those mired in desolate sorrow to "break forth in joy". He says to "break out in joyful sound, make a loud noise".
In 65: 14, Isaiah says Father's servants will "sing for joy of heart". Used earlier for "shout for joy", "ranan" now says "sing for joy (or goodness)". He concludes the phrase with "of heart". Music is an excellent way to dispel sorrow, a sweet and soothing medicine for or from the heart.
I have seen many types of musical dances and admired their graceful routines. In Habakkuk 3: 18, the prophet's joy "spins around" in gladness. Zephaniah says in 3: 17 Father is an accomplished singer and dancer as well. Consider what he says about Him rejoicing over His servants.
"The LORD thy God in the midst of you is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3: 17
The first "joy" suggests a rejoicing of gladness and pleasure. The second "joy" shows the manifestation of that pleasure. He'll be spinning around and singing with a joyful shout.
Matthew writes of "entering into the joy of our Lord" in the parable of the ten talents. In 1: 2, James tells us to "count it all joy" when we fall into various adversities...react with a calm and cheerful delight. In saying "rejoice with joy", Peter says our calm delight becomes an exultation as in a "jumping for joy".
"Whom having not seen, you love; in Whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1: 8
Our focus of joy, gladness, and rejoicing should clearly rest in the Lord. Gladness and rejoicing is at the heart of our joy in the Him. If we choose to focus on adversities, we become weak and run down, even to the death of our spirit and soul. Aside from Father, we have no strength to properly focus. Yet, in His strength, we have the ultimate of strengths.
In 8: 10, Nehemiah says, "for the joy (rejoicing, gladness) of the LORD is your strength". In 21: 1 of Psalms, David exuberantly avows, "The king shall joy in Your strength, O LORD; and in Your Salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!"
David's musical line begins with a broad smile of face and heart and climaxes with a vehement exuberance of rejoicing that has him jumping up and down and twirling in circles, likely with hands frantically waving in the air. It should also be noticed that the focal point of his rejoicing is clearly seen in the Hebrew word for "Salvation", Yeshua. Finally, consider the Jeremiah's description of the ultimate completion of our "joy".
"The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the Bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endures for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the Land, as at the first, says the LORD."
Jeremiah 33: 11
From a spectrum of lightness to thunder, the prophet describes a calling out, singing with a joyful noise. Shout it from the rooftops...the voice of the Bridegroom, the voice of the bride, the voice of they that "praise the LORD of hosts". Proclaim His goodness and eternal kindness, the end of the exile. With inclusion of the phrase, "sacrifice of praise", Jeremiah uses the single word, "todah", which means "an extension of the hand" and alludes specifically to a "choir of worshipers", whether in song or congregation.
The prophet uses Hebrew construction here that has become dear to my heart. In saying, "praise the LORD of hosts", he says our worship and reverence is directed specifically toward "YHVH/Alef/Tav", the complete Godhead. He then says, "return the captivity of the Land". A second time, Jeremiah includes the Alef/Tav before "Land". It is Yeshua, specifically, that will redeem His chosen people to a pure Land, His Land, as in days of old. WHAT A WELCOME AND GLAD DAY OF REJOICING THAT WILL BE!! It's appropriate that I close with these words of Paul.
"Rejoice in the Lord alway (at all times): again I say, Rejoice."
Philippians 4: 4
