I can still hear my pastor Larry Nixon say as he smiled, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Larry and Jim Hallcom, my high school pastor, showed me by their countenances that serving God results in deep joy. They were happy pastors. I aspire to be like them.
Where do we find our joy? Is it in the approval of other people? We have a collection of Precious Moments figurines in our family. I bought one for Melanie on her nineteenth birthday shortly after we started dating. My favorite in the group is of the preacher standing behind the pulpit. The eggs and tomatoes thrown by the crowd decorate the front of the pulpit. It reminds me that not everyone agrees with what I say. Honestly, in earlier times a disapproving word could crater me if I was not careful.
Paul and Barnabas, too, faced opposition. On the first mission trip, sent out by the church and the Holy Spirit, they encountered hecklers who contradicted them while they tried to preach. What would you have done? Paul and Barnabas continued to preach and many Gentiles received their message. Meanwhile, the group of Jewish leaders in that town turned against them and discounted them. As Jesus had taught his disciples, these men of God shook the dust off their feet and went on.
This might sound like the worst day ever. But notice the response of the new Gentile believers who were glad to be included in the kingdom. God had appointed them for eternal life and they believed. In the end, the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of joy in the lives of his people. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom and joy! Remember Paul’s words to the church in Rome: “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31). Let’s live this day and every day in the profound joy of God’s calling. He has made this day. Let’s rejoice and be glad.
