Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 1 Chronicles 16: 8-10
From 1800 to 1899 there were more than 500 wars or conflicts that occurred across the globe. These events touched every continent and just about every nation. Lines were drawn and re-drawn. In some areas you would have been hard pressed to place any confidence in the steadiness of your governing authorities since they might be gone tomorrow.
Not to be outdone, the turn of the century began with a bang when Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated by a Bosnian. That one act set the stage for World War I which, from 1914 to 1918, led to an estimated 40 million military and civilian deaths. Following that war, the Russian Revolution in 1917 caused another dramatic upheaval throughout Europe. The Spanish Flu took another 17-50 million people to their grave. And the hits kept coming.
A world-wide economic collapse took hold in the 1920s-30s, which in the United States we labeled the “Great Depression.” We limped into the 1940s with WW II and the greatest loss of life ever seen with approximately 80 million people perishing. The Korean War, Vietnam War, devastating inflation in the 1970s, the Gulf War, terror attacks, the Iraq-Afghanistan Wars were just some of the major conflicts that rounded out the 20th Century. Sounds like there was a lot to be joyful for, wasn’t there?
And there was. You see since the beginning of human history, when so many turned their backs to God’s holy and beautiful plan, there has been war, hatred, vengeance, jealousy, and greed. With each tragedy we may think, “we are living in the most terrible age.” But history shows we humans have done so much worse. Above these sinful human ways, however, sits a glorious King who beckons us to him. Who says, “I have a better way. A beautiful and joyous plan for you. Seek me and you will find me.”
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13
We shouldn’t be surprised when terrible events happen in the world around us. The ungodly seek to satisfy their fleshly desires just as they always have. It’s interesting, however, that depression rates have skyrocketed just in the last 10-15 years in the United States. As faithful followers of Jesus we are called to be set apart and seek joy, seek peace, seek love, seek self-control. Something Christians have been tasked with since the death of Jesus and war upon war. We seek a joy that is, in fact, all around us. Yes, even in the face of terrible times.
"Weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5
Joy and rejoicing beckon us each morning with another beautiful sunrise. It’s in the face of a newborn baby, after the pain of childbirth. It’s in each meal that God provides. Joy lives in a faithful friend, a loving spouse or parent — those God-given relationships He sends our way either through birth or by small miracles. The clothes that adorn us, be they rich, luxurious fabrics or simple cotton hewn, reflect God’s first loving sacrifice for us in the garden — an animal slain to cover Adam and Eve. The world is full of God’s joyful offerings of music, laughter, smiles, touches, provision, and natural wonder. We just need to seek them.
Back in the 1800s there was no TV, much less 24 hour TV news. No internet. The mail was spotty. Newspapers reported on events from weeks past. People, although effected by local conflict, went about their daily lives concerned with the here and now — the health and welfare of their family and their local community. They didn’t wake up and pull up the latest terrible news on their phone or computer. They didn’t sit at breakfast watching the news roll by on TV. Most didn’t even have a daily paper. No, if they were Christians they woke up and gave thanks for the day. Probably read a bit of their Bible and then began their long day of providing for their family. The children played and did their school lessons, unaware of any troubles their parents might have financially. As evening rolled in they sat at their dinner table together and gave thanks to God. And went to bed. No late night news or Twitter reading.
I long thought I had to be super informed of the world’s goings on. I deemed those not constantly tuned as living in a pollyanna-like state. But I have recently found that constant exposure to things of which, let’s be honest here, I have little to zero control over not only don’t bring me God’s gift of joy but actually steal it. You don’t have to watch the news each day. Or even each week. Shocking statement for some to hear, I realize. But try it.
Turn off the TV. Turn your radio dial to a Christian music station. Stop scrolling through the news. Occasionally detox yourself from the world while paying attention to what is important — your family, your friends, your neighbors and most of all your God. Train yourself for when you truly need to “check in” and when it’s time to “check out.” Look up and outward for joy. When you see it give thanks to God for pointing it out.
He is reaching out to you to pull you from the increasing anxiety and depression the world offers. Watch for His glorious ways revealing themselves to you throughout the rest of this week. And rejoice.
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!” Amen.
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