day two . joy, the serious business of heaven

"We have greatly underestimated the necessity of joy. Nehemiah said to his grieving congregation. "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep...Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Joy is strength. Its absence will create weakness. Dallas Willard said...

Failure to attain a deeply satisfying life always has the effect of making sinful actions seem good. Here lies the strength of temptation...Normally, our success in overcoming temptation will be easier if we are basically happy in our lives. To cut off the joys and pleasures associated with our bodily lives and social existence as 'unspiritual,' then, can actually have the effect of weakening us in our efforts to do what is right.

Here is a key task for spiritual vitality: We must arrange life so that sin no longer looks good to us...I think the time has come, strange as it sounds, for us to take joy seriously...But joy is a learned skill. You must take responsibility for your joy. Not your friend, not your parent, not your spouse, not your kids, not your boss--your joy is your responsibility..." ~John Ortberg from The Life You've Always Wanted

"THIS is the day the Lord has made...let us rejoice and be glad in it." ~Psalm 118:24