Comfort and Joy

 

How much mental exercise does it take to “Rejoice always” or “Count it all joy?”

Our congregation sang four Christmas Carols last Sunday and the words that are still resounding in my mind are “Tidings of comfort and joy” from God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. The song relates the story of the angels God sent to the Shepherds in the field with their flocks and bringing them the good news of the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

Verse four says, “The shepherds of those tidings rejoiced much in mind and left their flocks a feeding in tempest, storm, and wind, and went to Bethlehem straightway, the blessed babe to find. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy: O tidings of comfort and joy.”

When we hear teaching on anything related to shepherds in the Bible, we usually hear about their dedication to the safety of the sheep. They will leave 99 to go and find one lost sheep. Yet, these shepherds heard the good news of the Baby born in Bethlehem and left “straightway” to go and find Him.

This morning’s local and national news was full of hard stories to take in if we are ones who desire a peaceful place to live. There were reports of murders and “sudden deaths,” war stories, and political nonsense, and even the approach of some bad weather. Many people are also facing difficult personal times. They, or someone they love dearly, are facing illness, financial concerns, divorce, or discord in their families.

It’s interesting that the song records that the shepherds rejoiced “in their minds” when they heard the news of Jesus’ birth. Externally, they were leaving their sheep but internally they were rejoicing.

They acted quickly to go and find the Baby. The joy of this news took precedence over the concern for the sheep. In other words, God’s message was more important to them than their work. If we want to be blessed of God, we should see Christ as these shepherds did.  We, too, must prioritize obeying God’s commands, even over our work (and livelihood).  Many Christians today reject the biblical truth that  God’s Word is of utmost importance to informing our actions ( I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. Psalm 138:2).

It is easy to think that with a multitude of heavenly beings before us we would respond much more quickly than we do when what we “hear” from God is in His Word or in a sermon. Does God still give us messages of “comfort and joy?” Does He use “messengers?”

How often do we hear from multiple sources and know that the truth of God being with us (Matthew 1:23) and His showing compassion to us (Matthew 14:14), and granting us forgiveness that cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), yet we continue to question His ability (or willingness) to comfort “me” and give “me” joy?

For many people around the world life feels hard right now. Jesus Christ understands “hard” better than anyone, ever. He will comfort us and give us joy if our hearts are turned to Him, not seeking our hope and joy from worldly things (political or material).

He may even use others who have been through the same kind of “hard” to be our comforters or use us to comfort others whose “hard” we have experienced.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

As the shepherds rejoiced in their minds, will we make it a point to remind ourselves that the circumstances in the world, though important (as were the sheep), we must put our hope and our minds on the comfort and joy that the Lord God has given us in His gift of His Son coming to save us from our sin (Matthew 1:23)?