Emptiness is Self-inflicted

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1Jo 1:4 AV)

 There is much that comes from reading our Bibles.  We can be convicted of sin.  We can learn new truths or applications.  We can be challenged in steps of faith beyond our comfort zone.  The word of God is primarily the means of praise and glory for our God and creator.  The Bible teaches us about history.  It gives us a sense of purpose and meaning in life.  The scriptures reveal the future and give us hope of everlasting life.  There are passages of encouragement.  Some chapters bring sweet remembrance to our minds and hearts.  It is by the word of God the people of God enjoy fellowship one with another.  The word of God teaches of doctrine and truth.  Doctrine and truth upon which the saint can place his faith.  But John speaks of another purpose.  He speaks of the Bible as the source of fullness of joy.  Not just joyful, but a fullness of joy.  John tells us the word of God can fill us with so much joy that we cannot be more joyful.  If we are struggling with joy, it is most likely because our minds are not saturated with the word of God, or, we have ceased to place our faith in what is written as opposed to what we experience.

My grandparents went on a cruise almost forty years ago.  Not much has changed since then.  If I am not mistaken, they went on the Alaskan cruise.  When they returned, we all gathered around the projector and screen.  As grandpa and grandma shared all their pictures, we heard a great deal about what they saw.  In particular, they were impressed with the icebergs and whales.  I have had other friends and acquaintances go on cruises.  My wife’s aunt and uncle took Lisa’s grandmother on a cruise.  My son and his new wife honeymooned on a cruise.  There were classmates, church members, and all sorts of people taking cruises and I have heard many stories of a wonderful time.  Not one of them ever said they had a horrible experience.  Some were Alaskan cruises.  Some were trips to the Caribbean.  One of those cruises was the Bermuda cruise which is mostly water with only a hand full of ports-of-call.  However, of all the tales of day trips or sightseeing I have heard, or all the nightlife that was experienced, or the new friends people made, there seems to be one comment that came, no matter the experience.  To a ‘t’, every story included comments regarding the amount and variety of food onboard.  There was always some type of comment or discussion of the twenty-four-hour fully stocked buffets scattered throughout the ship.  It doesn’t matter what a guest might desire, it could be found anywhere on the ship.  Even if one’s appetite was more discerning than a buffet, no matter the desire, a special order could be sent to the kitchen and a five-star chef would prepare it.  One familiar statement of novice travelers would be, “If you went hungry on a cruise, it would be your own fault.”  The fare is meant to keep the guest full.  Full as one could be.

The word of God is meant to increase to the full our joy in the LORD.  This doesn’t mean we will not have sorrow.  Solomon is our reality check.  He tells us there is a time for that.  The apostles tell us regularly to be somber.  However, our hearts do not have to be an ‘either-or’ proposition.  Our hearts can entertain more than one emotion at the same time.  We can both sorrow and be full of joy.  At the passing of a loved one, we can sorrow at our loss but at the same time, rejoice they are in glory awaiting our attendance.  We can feel a sense of anxiety when asked of the LORD to take a step of faith but at the same time, excitement at what the LORD is about to do.  The human heart is an amazing thing.  It can feel two contrary emotions at the same time.  Therefore, if joy is one emotion that comes from the word of God, we should read it frequently so that our joy might be full.  John knows of what he speaks.  He was the closest of all disciples to our LORD.  Not even Paul could claim a closer relationship with God.  Why?  Because John made a habit of prayer and study of the scriptures second to none.  It was to John that Jesus gave the Revelation.  He had an insight that no one else had.  He saw things that only he saw. It was the revelation of God to him that made that joy, full.  And, it is God’s revelation of Himself to us that can accomplish the same.  Herein is the lesson.  Our joy is meant to be full.  Not partial.  Our joy is meant to be full to the brim and overflowing.  If it is meant to be so, then it also must be a possibility.