United Church of God

Letter From Andy Diemer - October 21, 2020

Letter From Andy Diemer

October 21, 2020

Unshakeable Joy

Can you be hopeful and calm, no matter the turn that life takes? Can you have deep, abiding joy, no matter the circumstance? One of the fruits of God's Spirit is joy. It is second on Paul's famous list in Galatians 5:22. The word in the New Testament translated as "joy" is the Greek word, "chara." It means "cheerfulness" and "calm delight."

True joy comes from an unshakeable sense of God's sovereignty in all things. This is not fleeting happiness; it is not a passing emotion. It is believing that God will always save you, that even death cannot take your joy. Consider that Christ, "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2). He told us how to have such a state of mind. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love...that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:10-11). If we are believing God and doing His will, there is really nothing that can take away our joy.

We will always have trouble in this world, but God wants us to have inner peace and calm through it all. We must be like Paul who wrote, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11). He prayed for his brethren to be "strengthened with all might...for all patience and longsuffering with joy" (Colossians 1:11). Yes, Paul hoped for their spiritual strength to suffer long with joy. He looked at the sufferings of this time as only temporary. They are "not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

What then, do you say or think in the face of any circumstance? Remain calm, believe God, do His commandments, and look past the present to the reality that is coming. Though you do not now physically see that reality, "yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). May you always have the lasting joy of salvation, and "may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13)!

Warm regards,

Andy

Pastor