Joyful Anticipation

An unfortunate reality we all must face is how broken this world is. 

Wars, poverty, racism, crime… it is no wonder that many seriously struggle with depression and grief. 

When we read the words, “rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) and “consider it pure joy…” (James 1:2) amid struggle and chaos, many find this calling preposterous. “How can I possibly be joyful right now?”

But the bible is the inspired word of God…so there must be a way! How can we rejoice always and consider our trials pure joy. 

It comes from Joyful Anticipation.

Consider the family vacation that you have planned. It is still a year in advance, but you have already done the research on all the restaurants you will go to, the excursions you have planned. 

You can already envision the family board game nights, the laughter and the fun that is to come.

This is because of the joy that is set before you. You haven’t gone on the trip yet. You haven’t taken the flight and experienced the moments with your family. BUT, you still find joy in anticipating what is to come because you KNOW what awaits you. 

If that phrase, “joy that is set before you” sounds familiar, then you have probably read Hebrews. 

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.

We know from scripture the suffering of Jesus on the cross. We know that he prayed to God the Father to let the cup pass from him. We know that he felt deep emotional pain and grief while he was here on earth. 

How did He endure the cross? For the Joy that was set before Him. He looked ahead to what was to come. To the glory. To the praises. To being seated at the right hand of God, ruling and reigning for all eternity. 

As Christians, we are baptized in Christ and raised with him. This means that what is true of him is true of us. We are IN Christ. 

How can we endure our sufferings? How can we remain steadfast in our faith? How can we possibly rejoice always and consider trials to be pure joy? 

It is because of the joy that is set before us. 

With anticipation, we look ahead. We look at the promises of Christ. 

We read verses like John 14:1-3: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Fathers house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

How amazing is this? Take a moment to truly think about this verse. 

The one that created the heavens and the earth, that is above every name, that rules and reigns and one day all of creation will bow at His feet…He has promised that He prepared a place for us, and will bring us into it. 

Your source of joy can be found right here. 

The same way that you joyfully anticipate the vacation you have ahead of you. 

We can find joy in the here and now, we can stand with the heroes of the faith that knew what it meant to find joy in Christ despite their circumstances. 

The promises of Christ are true and unchanging. He has said it. It will happen. 

For the joy that is set before you. Look at His promises. Look to Christ. Imagine the life you have ahead of you in Heaven…there is your joy.