In his classic book Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton writes: “[Children] want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, ‘Do it again’; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, ‘Do it again’ to the sun; and every evening, ‘Do it again’ to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them.”
Chesterton captures this truth well: Our God is full of joy—playful even. He must be, what with all the fascinating, fun, and joy-inducing things He’s created! Our God certainly appears to treasure ordinary, yet beautiful things. But, in His creativity, the ordinary is extraordinary. God continues to delight each of us in the panorama of His creation. Moreover, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share love and joy together.
In Romans 14:17, Paul wrote, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And in Romans 15:13, he declared, “ I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.” Joy is a hallmark of kingdom life made possible by the Spirit as we place our trust in God.
Jesus says, “ When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love. . . . I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:10-11). Even in the ordinary and what some might think of as monotonous, we can experience the joy He exudes!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 1:19-34
More:
Read 1 Peter 1:6-8 and consider what the apostle says about the joy that can come after trials and testing in life.
Next:
What might have to change in your life for you to experience kingdom joy? How can you tap into God’s joy more fully?
robertmalaysia on June 16, 2016 at 1:49 am
Hi Marlena,
Thank you for the reminder of the fruit of true joy that only the Holy Spirit is able to produce.
I refer to G K Chesterton’s quotation “fascinating, fun, and joy-inducing things He’s created!” in your devotional, “Full of Joy” today (16 June 2016).
I was wondering … what about Yersinia pestis bacterium that caused Black Death in Europe … swarming locusts that destroy crops … deadly virus-carrying Zita mosquitoes to name a few?
Did God create the above? If so, for what purpose? Are they as what Chesterton said – “fascinating, fun, and joy-inducing things (including creatures)”?
I appreciate your response.
My email is: robertkhaw.mjwg@yahoo.com
Thank you and blessed day ahead.
Robert
Tim Gustafson on June 16, 2016 at 8:07 am
Hi Robert. I’m definitely not Marlena, but I can offer an answer to your very good question. It is found in Genesis 3. The things you name above — and I might add venomous snakes, scorpions, tsetse flies and the like — are a result of the Fall. They are damaging mutations from God’s perfect creation. Prior to Adam and Eve’s rebellion, the snake was not cursed, the land was not cursed, creation was not cursed. The evil that they now bring are a result of sin. We can’t blame God for that. That’s why Romans 8:22-23 is so important. Creation is awaiting its redemption, so that these created things will again fulfill their intended purpose and no longer be a curse. We look forward to the day when the prophecy of Isaiah 11:6-9 will be fulfilled: “The wolf will live with the lamb … The infant will play near the hole of the cobra … They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.”
hsnpoor on June 16, 2016 at 11:32 am
Amen, Tim Gustafson, Amen! And, if I might add, what makes our joy so joyful is that God has not allowed OUR sin to totally obliterate his creative process. The sun still rises and sets and remains just close enough to keep the planet warm, but not so close as to burn it to a crisp, the tides still come in and out, the world continues to spin on it’s axis, our hearts continue to beat in our chest, our lungs continue to give us breath; all of which demonstrates the goodness, mercy and faithfulness of our God. OUR sin deserves punishment on the order of eternal obliteration, but instead our God offers salvation with eternal life at an incomprehensible cost to Him and what, I’m supposed to respond by telling him I don’t like the temporary consequences of sin visited on earth between now and when he choses to return, so he’s not a good God? God forbid and shut my mouth! Glory to God in the highest! I feel a praise-fest coming on!
Tim Gustafson on June 16, 2016 at 12:00 pm
hsnpoor, your response brought a big smile to my face!
Marlena Graves on June 16, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your comments. I agree with Tim Gustafson – the Fall twisted and brought death among life. I do trust that God will make all things new and banish every thing in heaven and on earth that is death dealing. What a great question!
Marlena Graves on June 16, 2016 at 1:03 pm
Amen.
philipforchrist on June 16, 2016 at 12:33 pm
To God be the glory! God bless you, Tim for this wonderful insight. I have always wondered about Robertmalaysia’s question in silence. I have once pondered why God created mosquitoes that is a major cause of malara fever, especially here in Afric; but I just shrugged it off thinking mosquitoes would have some positives in the ecosystem. However, your response to the question brought out the reality cum answer to the question and many others. May God’s name be praised forever in your life and I pray we would all be partakers of that wonderful time when God would restore creation as prophesied in Isaiah 11:6-9. Shalom!
Marlena Graves on June 16, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Hi Philip,
I too wondered all these things and as I mentioned above, trust that all will be made right. But in the midst of the death dealing elements of creation, God is still full of joy, there is still goodness. One day there will no longer be any of this death at work. It’s easy for me to have my eye on death dealing elements of life, but Jesus reminds me of the joy too. Thank you for your comment, and again to Tim for his answer.
Marlena Graves on June 16, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your comments. I agree with Tim Gustafson – the Fall twisted and brought death among life. I do trust that God will make all things new and banish every thing in heaven and on earth that is death dealing. What a great question!
jef on June 16, 2016 at 4:26 pm
These lyrics sum it all up for me “joy unspeakable that won’t go away just enough strength to live for the day I’ll never have to worry what tomorrow will bring for my faith is on solid rock I’m counting on God….”
vegilkerson on June 17, 2016 at 1:25 am
This is not about this transcript but rather the one about taming anger which I received in my inbox. Anger can be so explosive. I have heard people say that Christians are not supposed to ever get angry but that seems so unrealistic as we all do. Even if you shut your mouth and don’t say anything while you feel this anger building it is still inside you. So what are you supposed to do with that? Jesus was extremely angry when he threw the money changers out of the temple as he was turning their table over. That is recorded in scripture.
Gary Shultz on June 16, 2016 at 6:04 am
Marlena, this is delightful, a wonderful glimpse of God’s many facets. This is one reason I look forward to an eternal existence, “kingdom” life. We will be amazed through out eternity at what will and has come from the finger of God. And yes, I am also a big fan of God’s faithfulness in everyday repetition. Just as we consider these things we almost burst into an amazed praise. With all we see in this life, how much greater the store of things to come. I must also confess I enjoy the concept that we have a God with a “sense of humor”. As our story today, I think God does and will, in much greater fashion, enjoy bringing us joy and laughter. Thanks Marlena, may a smile of joy be with you.
Marlena Graves on June 16, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Yes, I often wonder about what makes God and laugh and what brings him joy. I know we can enjoy God forever and also now. I was just looking at the effects two black holes had on waves. The little blip heard by scientists confirm a facet of Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. I can’t even explain it well. I can just relate that I was again awed by the vast expanse of God’s mind and beauty. There’s so much I don’t know, but I can say he is good (even in the midst of having suffered – like others have).
godlove on June 16, 2016 at 11:23 am
There is indeed wonderful joy ahead, even though we must endure many trials for a little while (1 Peter 1:6). I truly look forward to the joy of eternity with the Lord. Seeing how the little daily joys I experience here make me feel, I’m sure my heart will literally burst out of joy when we get to eternity. There is one thing about joy: it is never monotonous. I mean, you don’t get tired or bored of happiness. And there is nothing which gives me a greater feeling of joy than the knowledge that I am loved, loved by God and loved by people around me. Praise and thanks be given to God, our heavenly Father for the gifts of love and joy. Thanks for this joy-filled devotional, Marlena.
Marlena Graves on June 16, 2016 at 1:02 pm
godlove, this is fantastic: “here is one thing about joy: it is never monotonous. I mean, you don’t get tired or bored of happiness.” Beautiful. Thank you.