Where Joy is Born

On Tuesday, when I was just heading out to work, I saw Mom and several kids gathered around the computer. “Is that me, Mom?”, “I remember that!”, “Look at Dad’s mustache!” They were looking through the pictures I had posted on the web blog. Joel,(named after dad), the four year old, was looking on forlornly. Finally, he asked, “Mom, why aren’t there any pictures of Dad holding me?”

Mom let one of the kids take control of the computer as she gathered Joel up in her arms and told him the story again. She told him how she was still pregnant with him when Dad had died. He than asked her why Dad died. And than how. I realized that it had been some time since he had heard the story, and that he was beginning to be affected and feel the loss, perhaps for the first time.

I didn’t stay for the conversation, but it made me think about how blessed I had been to know Dad, and to be an eyewitness of God’s goodness towards our family.

It also reminded me that we must be faithful to tell of God’s goodness to those upcoming who were too young to understand themselves. How sad is the account of Judges, as generation after generation turned their back to the Lord and served idols and did wickedly. In Judges 2, as a preface to the many stories of Israel’s rebellion, it is written “And all the generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.”

I hope to tell soon of the impact that the death of a godly father can have on an 18 year old young man. I still cannot look back to that time without getting excited about all the Lord did for me.

One of the things that began to change for me was that doctrines I had held or understood in my mind began to creep their way into my heart. Why? Because I saw the promises of God’s Word being found faithful and trustworthy in my life and all around me. What a treasure this was, and continues to be.

Nothing encourages me more than seeing people who believe and understand the sovereignty of God, and who take joy and comfort in it during times of severe trials. Why? Because the joy and love with which they pursue our Savior is contagious. They have banked all on His promises. They have hoped in His word, and have abandoned their desires into His loving arms. They have, by His grace, allowed faith to take them to depths that understanding cannot.

What a contrast to the stuffy pride and arrogance that can come when we simply hold to the knowledge of God without holding fast to that very God for our every hope.

I want to commend to you today a wonderful example of “applied theology,” and the faith, hope and steadfast love that results from it. At Girl Talk, Nicole Whitacre tells of her and her husband Steve’s deferred desire to have more children. “And if we don’t conceive another child, it won’t be “because of me.” It will be because the sovereign, wise, loving Creator of the universe has decided that is best—for my good, for Steve’s good, and for God’s glory.” May that be my heart! Read and be encouraged! Girl Talk

One way we can serve each other, and heed the sober stories in Judges, is to continue to tell each other of God’s goodness. We must be faithful to recount God’s faithfulness in our lives. By doing so, we will not be pointing each other to a doctrine of sovereignty, but to a sovereign God! Here is where our greatest joy is born!

“I will also praise you with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.” Psalm 71:22-23

Judges 2:10

Comments

[Brian]

Thanks, Dan. (this is Dan posting right?;) What a great reminder of God's goodness and sovereignty. And your illustration inspires me to "recant" (I think you mean "recount";) God's faithfulness to the next generation. My 13 nephews and nieces are who I think of. Thanks also for the link to Nicole's post. I see them every Sunday but often forget what they've been through. How good to hear how God is using it for good!