Hidden Joy
READ: Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah 61:10-11
One afternoon Joe approached his sobbing friend, Jane, and asked her what was wrong. She told him that her Aunt Jessica had just passed away. Joe told Jane that she shouldn’t be sad because her aunt was in heaven with Jesus. Jane replied by asking, “How do you know?”
Joe answered, “I saw her at church every Sunday praising God with her heart and soul. Not only that, but I also observed her witnessing her faith over and over again to those who did not believe as strongly as she did, and I listened as she would comfort those around her as they were suffering from despair.”
Jane could hardly believe this. She didn’t know her aunt was so religious. She asked Joe if she could attend church with him and he replied, “Yes.”
Why isn’t there more Joe’s or Aunt Jessica’s in this world? Why aren't there more people who are willing to spread the good Word of Jesus to the many people who feel they have nothing to be happy about? Some of this we have to blame on not attending church. How any times have we received the chance to witness the work of God to others when they are feeling saddened and depressed with problems in their life? In Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah states, “The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted to proclaim freedom for the captives...to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them...the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair...”
Many times when changes occur in a person’s life, such as death, we may feel awkward, dumb, or cannot find the words that we are looking for to comfort them. We should not pass up the opportunity to tell of Jesus’ love for us. Although the person may not seem to care or even to be listening at the time, they just might surprise you and truly be listening or they may be storing the words that you present them with and begin to ponder on them.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How many times were we presented with this type of situation? How can we be more like Joe and talk with people freely about Jesus’ love? How do you proclaim God’s love in daily life?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Pray that you and others can speak openly about God’s love. Pray that God will give us the wisdom to help others with their problems. Pray that when we are confronted by problems or sorrows, we may be strong in our faith to find comfort in God’s Word.