JOY TO THE WORLD

JOY TO THE WORLD

(Read: Luke 2:10)

 

One day a young boy told his father, “Daddy I am so bored with the church song. Too far behind the times and so slow”. His father answered him, “If you think you can write a better song then why don’t you?” The boy went to his room and wrote his first hymn, “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.” Later in 1690 he wrote the song, “Joy To The World” based on Psalm 98 and Luke 1:46-55. This boy was the famous songwriter Isaac Watts.

 

Joy the World by Isaac Watts

     

JOY TO THE WORLD! That’s the same words when the Angel came to the shepherd not far away from Bethlehem, he said, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Why “JOY”? Why must the world be joyful for Christmas? Christmas is not about Santa claus, candy, cake, or glamorous lights.

   The word “afraid” in this verse came from the Greek translation phobeistei, meaning an extreme or irrational fear. In the Hebrew translation Orthodox Jewish Bible the word pachad mean terror. Too many times we hear bad news from the world: war, conflict, sickness, disaster, terrorism. All of these make us afraid.

   But, The Angel of the Lord came not with some bad news! Not just nice news, not just happy news. The word Good News in hebrew, simcha means peace, love, friendly, and the source of joy. The Angel came with GOOD NEWS about Jesus Christ the Savior will come to the world!

Jesus Christ is The One whom the world needs most today. He created heaven and earth. He created human beings. He is the one who can make the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead raised, and He is the only one who can heal every disease and weakness.

   When we consider all of what Jesus has already done and what He can do, we are full with joy of and thankfulness. Mary was filled with joy and she was ready to serve God. A huge number army of Angels from heaven was filled with joy and praise for the Lord. The Shepherds filled with joy, worshiped Jesus and told Good News to people around them. If our hearts truly believe in Jesus Christ and are filled with joy, let us use our life to glorify Him wherever we are, whatever we do.

You and I have the same opportunity to respond to what God has done in our lives and share it with people around us! May God bless you and fill you with joy. Amen.

IF OUR HEARTS TRULY BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AND ARE FILLED WITH JOY, LET US USE OUR LIFE TO GLORIFY GOD.

 

christmas ornament

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Do You Want Happier and Healthier Life?

MY SOUL THIRST FOR GOD

(Read: Psalm 42:1-6)

Emeritus Professor Everett Worthington from Commonwealth University working together with researchers from Harvard University, Everett examined the impact of hope on nearly 13,000 people with an average age of 66. The study will be published at Global Epidemiology Journal with the title, “The Role of Hope in Subsequent health and well being for older adults: An Outcome wide longitudinal approach”. They found those with more hope throughout their lives had better physical health, better health behavior, better social support and a longer life. Hope also led to fewer chronic health problems, less depression, less anxiety and a lower risk of cancer.

If we pause for a while and take a look from the Bible, especially Psalm 42, we will realize that the research actually confirms what the Bible said about the need of having true hope in life.  Hope from God is powerful beyond what we can think and understand about the future.  Hope in Christ is a belief that God who is sovereign in the past, present and future will always lead us in better way.

Just as the deer pants for streams of water, the writer is longing to come to God’s temple at Jerusalem, but he can’t.  At that time, Saul the King of Israel wanted to kill David. So, David ran away from Jerusalem where Saul lived. David found himself in very bad situations from time to time, but he always got his hope from God. David desires to come to God by remembering God’s goodness. David put his hope in God alone.

Why did the writer of Psalm 42 find unceasing encouragement in God?  The author finds hope in God because God can change any situation to save him.   God could refresh the Psalmist’s terrible life from depression to a peaceful and contented life. God can refresh our lives and give us hope just as He did for David and countless other Christians down through the years.  God’s reason for creating us is for fellowship with Him. That is why God has placed a thirst within our hearts – a desire that only God can satisfy.   Let’s be content with what we have and not live our lives constantly longing for what we don’t have. Put your hope in Christ and you will receive salvation, peace and joy.  Amen.

HOPE FROM GOD IS POWERFUL BEYOND WHAT WE CAN THINK AND UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE FUTURE

Jeffry Sudirgo
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