So it is that David can say, “Restore unto
me the joy of your salvation.” David rightly recognizes that a full and trusting reliance
on God ought to produce an inward joy, a joy which sin mutes. So too in the New
Testament we read, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Lingered Upon and Magnified
In contrast to that inward (and perhaps
quiet) joy of salvation which is to be the hallmark of the Christian experience,
scripture speaks often too of “rejoicing”; a joy that has been lingered upon
and magnified beyond the bounds of the unobserved inner life. The word used for
rejoice in the New Testament means “full of cheer”. Rejoicing is what happens
when joy has filled us entirely.
Naturally, when something fills us entirely
and continues to increase, it’s bound to overflow. Rejoicing, then, is joy in
action, joy that finds expression in word or deed and has spilled out of a full
inner life. Throughout a reading of both Old and New Testaments we find many
references implying action, exhortations like: “Sing, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.” Joy properly appreciated should
produce an outward effect — singing and shouting in this case. It’s hard
to imagine a better picture of rejoicing, of joy made full and then overflowing,
than that of the once-lame beggar we find in Acts 3:8; a man who literally
jumped for joy.
Perpetual Rejoicing
We should also note here Paul’s injunction to
the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always”. That’s pithy enough to commit to memory quickly and easily, but despite
its brevity and simplicity, it remains a verse that we rarely apply with any
consistency. We are instructed to rejoice in every circumstance and
at all times; instead we grumble easily. The world — and perhaps
more importantly, our own Christian family — should instead see a visible
and consistent manifestation of gratitude to God in our daily lives regardless
of trials we may face. Rejoice always.
Of course that is exactly the example we
have in our Savior. C.I. Scofield notes that while the Lord Jesus was well
spoken of in the early days of his earthly life, he had virtually nothing to
say on the subject of joy. But on the night of his betrayal and in the sure
knowledge of his impending crucifixion he spoke clearly and frequently about
joy. His request in the upper room that night was that his joy would fill his disciples too, a joy that he held even in the face of multiple
betrayals and his own impending death. The Psalmist refers to a strong man “rejoicing to run his race”, which in hindsight speaks eloquently of our Lord on the night he was betrayed.
Rejoicing Over God’s People
We are enjoined to rejoice evermore. We
have been provided the best possible example of remaining joyful in the life of
the Lord Jesus. It should not surprise us then to find that scripture often
speaks of God the Father rejoicing.
It was certainly the case with his people
Israel. Moses told God’s people:
“The Lord will again take delight [rejoice] in prospering you, as he took delight [rejoiced] in your fathers.”
The suggestion is not that God will be
simply satisfied or content, nor even that he will be mildly pleased. The idea
is that God will be so filled with joy over his people that his joy
will find expression: He will “abundantly prosper” the work of their hands. Joy in action. A
similar passage is found in the prophecies of Jeremiah, where again the Lord will rejoice over his chosen people and the result of that rejoicing will be their planting
in the chosen land. Again, joy in action.
Rejoicing Over One Sinner
But God does not simply rejoice over Israel,
nor does he confine his exuberance to the Old Testament. The parables of
Luke 15 feature a lost sheep and a good shepherd, a lost coin and a
diligent searcher and finally the lost son and a waiting, forgiving father.
There are many wonderful lessons within those parables, but if we pause for a
moment we’ll notice that all three end in shared joy: “Rejoice with me” is the
repeated idea. The Lord’s words are almost too wonderful to be believed, but no
matter how often I read the text they remain, and so I simply take them at face value:
“There will be … joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.”
It is a shared joy, a rejoicing in the
presence of the angels, it is God’s joy over people just like us.
Slinking About With a Downcast Gaze
Groucho Marx famously quipped that he would
never want to belong to any club that would have him as a member. The quote is
repeated so often because it is so universal — it speaks directly to our
sense of inadequacy. Once while traveling and tired and facing a long wait, we
were providentially ushered into the airport’s first-class waiting area by a
helpful baggage clerk. The amenities were wonderful and the rest was
appreciated, but the ticket marked “coach” in my pocket was a constant reminder
that I did not really belong and was not truly welcome there.
Often in the grip of conviction about some
recent lost battle with sin I have imagined that heaven will be just a little
like that feeling: it will be a wonderful place but I will slink about with
downcast gaze — much like the prodigal imagined himself — constantly
aware that I do not belong. Those sorts of thoughts do a grave injustice to a Shepherd
who carries home the lost sheep, the diligent Searcher who wouldn’t stop
searching, the Father who waits hopefully for the worst of sons and to the God
who rejoices over repentant sinners.
Many Mansions and Repentant Failures
We often miss the context due to an unfortunate chapter
break, but in John 14:2 the Lord Jesus is speaking to
Peter — the same disciple who will shortly deny Christ three times in
rapid succession with an oath. When Peter later reflected on his own failure
and guilt, how comforting must the words of Jesus been to him: “In my Father’s
house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you.” For you. Even for those who deny,
there is a place — there are, after all, many mansions; mansions reserved
for sinners and failures who have repented.
We often dwell on that lovely opening phrase from
Matthew 25: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We emphasize that, and make it our goal to be faithful stewards. But the closing
phrase of that passage is worth consideration too: “Enter into the joy of your master.”
The Best of All Possible Homes
Finally, among the closing sentences of
scripture we find these words in Revelation:
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”
What makes God rejoice? Repentant sinners fill
the heart of God with joy — so much so that he is determined to share that joy
with us. Repentant sinners are exactly who heaven was made to house, and we are
not unwelcome guests there for a moment. We will spend eternity with the One
who rejoices over us and has carried us to the best of all possible homes.
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