Rejoicing

There is something very interesting—on second thought, there is something that floors me every time I read Acts 5:12-41. No, it’s not that the apostles performed miraculous things. An angel appearing has sort of become expected. It is not that the apostles walked out of a secured cell without the guards knowing. It’s not even the “in your face” attitude of the apostles.

What is astonishing to me is that after the apostles were threatened and beaten, they went away “…rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (vs. 41). I don’t know if anyone’s noticed, but this is not normal behavior. In fact, today’s mental health professionals would probably classify this as masochistic tendencies.

Yet, this is what Scripture tells and even commands Christians to do. Listen to what some of our Brothers have said. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2). “…rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ…” (I Peter 4:13). “…we also rejoice in our sufferings…” (Romans 5:3). Even our LORD says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you…Rejoice and be glad…” (Matthew 5:10-12).

Some of our brothers have taken what was said to heart because the Hebrew writer said, “…you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property…” (Hebrews 10:32-34).

It is beyond me how anyone can rejoice during a trial or while they are suffering. If James didn’t give me a hint, I’d still be clueless. In the same breath that James talked about this phenomenon of rejoicing, he also said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Because James talked about rejoicing and wisdom within a few sentences of each other, it only makes sense to me that I could ask for this unimaginable joy the same way I ask for this wisdom that goes beyond my understanding. Why not? James goes on to say, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (vs. 17). Just thinking about the goodness and faithfulness of God is getting me excited and causing me to rejoice!

LORD, thank You for this wisdom and this joy that can only come from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!