HOPE FOR JOY AND PEACE (1)

“For you shall go out with JOY, and be led out with PEACE” – Isaiah 55:12a

GOD’S WORD provides ample supplies of HOPE for JOY and PEACE: “For you shall go out with JOY, and be led out with PEACE; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isa.55:12). At this point in Isaiah’s prophecy, God’s people had been completely disobedient, but the God of Grace and Compassion invited them into His lovingkindness. He was restoring them so they may glorify Him once again. Verse 12 specifically commanded the people to go out in inexpressible JOY and be led forth in inexplicable PEACE. Why would God ask these and how do we, as believers, accomplish these?

We can GO OUT with JOY: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 The.5:16–18). Believers in Christ are called to be joyful, which is not a natural tendency for human beings. However, when we understand God’s Love and His abiding Grace, Joy becomes easier. When we really understand His Grace and seek Him, we will find Joy. We are called to go out in joy both for our own sake and the world’s. When we choose to rejoice in our circumstances, they seem to change. Life is easier to tackle when we choose a positive and joyous perspective rooted in a trust for God and His promises.

Going out in joy also blesses others. The world should be able to recognize us by how we love and by the Joy we have and exude. This is not to say that Christians should always act happy and pretend everything is okay – being joyful is different than being happy. Joy is trusting in what God is doing and recognizing that He has a plan that’ll ultimately work for the good of His beloved (Rom.8:28). Being joyful means not letting our circumstances crush us. To choose Hope is to choose Joy; and to choose Joy is to choose Hope. When the world sees that circumstances aren’t crushing us and asks us why, we can answer with the glorious news of how good our God is and the Hope that we have. When we go out in Joy, we allow our own souls to grow and shine the light of Christ simultaneously.

We can be LED FORTH in PEACE: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may HAVE PEACE. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jh.16:33). There is much promise and reality of Peace in knowing God. When we allow Christ to lead us and guide our steps and our hearts, we find peace. God told Israel: “Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your PEACE would have been like a RIVER, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea” (Isa.48:18). Isaiah 66:12a promises likewise. There is peace in obedience and relationship with God. When we cling to and obey Him, we will find His Peace: “The work of righteousness will be PEACE, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever” (Isa.32:17).

PEACE and JOY are two virtues that make the soul full. When we seek God’s Heart, we find inexplicable peace that will guide us through life and all the trials we may face: “And the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus” (Phi. 4:7). This peace is not just in relationships that are devoid of conflict, but in hearts that rest in God. Abiding in Him also brings “Joy Inexpressible and full of glory” (1Pet.18b) – not due to mere happy happenings. God’s Peace and Joy start inside and work their way out; such that it feels like nature itself is rejoicing: “the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (v.12b). God's Word of Hope makes us strong, joyful, and peaceful in the face of every difficulty!