LENT 2021:  JOY

I used to spend a lot of time driving with my daughters: driving to band competitions, driving them to college and back, etc.  As a father these were good times.  I have great memories. 

One memorable conversation was when we spent several hours talking about the difference between joy and happiness.  I don't think we ever reached a conclusion, but for me the entire experience was both joy and happiness.  

In this pandemic period, we can identify somewhat with the suffering of Job, and the weeping of the psalmist.  But, in spite of all that can go wrong in life - in God, we can find joy.  

Read these passages - and the hundreds of other joy passages in the Bible.  Find your joy. 

Job 8:20-22  

“See, God will not reject a blameless person,

nor take the hand of evildoers.
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
    and your lips with shouts of joy.
22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,
    and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”

Psalm 126: 5-6

May those who sow in tears

reap with shouts of joy.

Those who go out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,   

carrying their sheaves.