Advent - We Have Found The KingSmakprov

The church I attend always reads the entirety of Psalm 22 on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter. It’s a solemn time. We know that the cross is ahead of us. So, when I saw that these verses from Psalm 22 were the first ones of the week labeled JOY in the Advent guide, it felt a little jarring. In fact, Psalm 22 begins like this: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – the very same words Jesus himself cries out from the cross.

This does not immediately bring joy to mind.

Verse 7 is all about people mocking the Psalmist. Making faces at him. Shaking their heads. Taunting him, “If your God is so great, let HIM deliver you!”

But in that mocking tone, true joy is foretold.

Joy and happiness are not the same thing. Happiness is fleeting. A temporary sense of delight. Happiness makes you feel good for a little while. But joy is something different. Joy is deep and abiding. Joy can exist regardless of the immediate circumstances. In fact, the entire book of Philippians is Paul’s description of how joy not only exists in the presence of suffering, but is strengthened by it.

Happiness depends on external things: a really good meal, a good grade on a paper, winning a game. Joy is deep within. It’s a gift from God that gives us peace and a calm assurance that the best is yet to come. Joy comes from knowing that God is in charge; knowing that no matter how the world is caving in around us, God is on His throne. No matter how we are treated, even if we’re mocked and taunted like the Psalmist was, when we trust in the Lord we experience joy.

Joy is knowing that Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” but that He was not forsaken. Joy is knowing that after the pain of Good Friday comes the beauty of Easter morning, and the promise of Resurrection. Joy is the gift of the Christ child and the redeeming grace He brings.

Psalm 22 ends in a shout of praise. I pray that today you are filled with the joy that comes from knowing Christ our Deliverer.

Jen Jones, Director Institutional Analytics, Information Technology