I was reading Psalm 35 recently. Psalm 35 is a song of David which describes the LORD as David’s avenger against those who were against him. Verses 21, 24-26 give a picture of David’s adversaries rejoicing over his misfortune and David’s prayer to God for relief.
“They also opened their mouth wide against me, And said, ‘Aha!’…. Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, ‘Ah, so we would have it!’ Let them not say, ‘We have swallowed him up.’ Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt.” [HCSB]
“Aha!” is a shout of glee over David’s hardships. David’s enemies were delighted because they thought they could rejoice over his hurt.
Recently I met someone like that, someone who rejoiced when they could point out what they thought others were doing wrong or chastise those who had a different view of theology then they did. They smiled the entire time they talked about their mission to show others incorrect.
It was not until a little after the conversation concluded that I realized that while this person was gleeful, they were missing a major component of knowing Christ Jesus – JOY! Both the OT and the NT are full of “JOY!”
Paul prayed for the Colossian believers, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy.” [1:11 HCSB]
David said, “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.” [Psalm 16:11 HCSB]
Nehemiah promised that “the joy of the LORD is [our] strength.” [8:10 NKJV]
How sad to settle for glee (Aha!) in what we perceive are other’s flaws or misfortunes, instead of the abundant, strengthening JOY! that is found in knowing Christ Jesus as LORD.
