Week of February 4, 2024
Journey of Joy
The journey of the Jesus’ follower is not always easy and does involve our effort of “pressing on.” But that is not to say that it is a dreary march through life. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul repeatedly emphasizes the joy that is ours in Jesus. This is especially striking in that he was currently imprisoned.
Often in daily parlance, if we use the term “joy” at all, we basically mean the same thing as happiness. We feel good. But while I suppose the emotions are similar, what happiness and joy are based on is completely different. Happiness depends upon human happenings. It comes from the word "hap" which means "luck"; you feel good because you are fortunate - things are going well. Christian joy, on the other hand, is the gladness you feel from knowing and trusting God, regardless of what’s going on around you. Happiness is based on circumstances and when they change you're not happy anymore; joy is based on Christ who does not change. Happiness is based on chance; joy is based on God’s choosing you as his daughter or son. Daniel Denk in his book Invitation to Joy gives this description: “Joy, on the contrary, is a steady disposition about life, very much connected to peace and hope. We might say that joy is a hopeful and peaceful outlook on life, a deep-seated sense of well-being.”
February 5 | Philippians 1:3-8, 25-26
What are reasons the Apostle Paul had for joy from these verses and elsewhere in chapter 1? Why did Paul find so much joy in Jesus (see also 1 Corinthians 15:3-11)? Why did Paul find joy in his partnership in the Gospel with the Philippian Christians? What are your reasons for joy in Jesus?
February 6 | Philippians 1:12-21
Despite Paul’s imprisonment, he had witnessed the advancement of the Gospel. In what way do you see joy connected to a person’s God-given calling? How would you describe your own calling and how it has led to greater joy in your life? How do either of the alternatives Paul mentions in v. 21 lead to joy?
February 7 | Philippians 2:17-18, 3:1
In this verse, Paul compares his own life and the service of the Philippian Christians with the typical worship at the altar of either the true God or even pagan deities. His life is like a “drink offering” and their service a sacrifice offered up to God. Paul may be anticipating his own martyrdom; but more likely he is referencing a life that is being spent on behalf of God and the Gospel, including all the suffering that he experienced on the way. How could and did a life of all-out devotion to Jesus bring him joy? How could Paul’s life bring joy to the Philippian Christians? Where is the joy in suffering for Jesus (see also 1 Peter 4:12-14)?
February 8 | Philippians 4:4-8
What are the practices of joy mentioned in this passage and others in the New Testament? How does prayer reinforce joy? How does thanksgiving reinforce joy? How does reflecting on what is good, beautiful, and excellent reinforce joy? What are your current joy practices? What practice(s) could lead to a greater experience of Jesus’ joy?
February 9 | Philippians 4:10-19
One of the reasons for this letter is Paul’s desire to thank the Philippian Christians for their support of his ministry through Epaphroditus and by way of their financial gifts. Perhaps his reason for joy in receiving this support is obvious enough. Yet he doesn’t stop there. How would his being “content whatever the circumstances” also lead to greater joy? What were the results of their generosity (vs.17-18) for the Philippians themselves and for Paul? What would be their enduring joy (see v.19)? How have you found joy from being on both the giving and the receiving end of other’s generosity?
