The Christmas season stirs a sense of joyous expectation. But how do we find joy during seasons of waiting or hardship?
Imagine the weight of knowing you might not make it out of a desperate situation alive. That was the reality Martin and Gracia Burnham faced during their 376 days of captivity in the Philippine jungle. Martin, a New Tribes missionary, had dedicated his life to following Jesus—just as he had encouraged others to do during his last devotional in his Kansas hometown. Quoting the words of Jesus from John 21:22, Martin had challenged his church, saying, “As for you, follow me.” He didn’t just say those words; he lived them.
As their captivity wore on, the Burnhams realized that freedom might never come on this side of heaven. But instead of despairing, Martin turned to Scripture for strength. One night, as they lay in a hammock under a makeshift tent, Martin said to Gracia, “The Bible says to serve the Lord with gladness. Let’s go out all the way. Let’s serve Him all the way with gladness.”
What a remarkable statement in the midst of hardship! The Burnhams prayed, recited Scripture, and sang hymns together, choosing to focus on God rather than their circumstances. Hours later, a rescue attempt tragically ended Martin’s life and left Gracia injured—but not without hope. Even in death, Martin’s commitment to serve God with gladness stood as a testament to the joy found in following Christ wholeheartedly, no matter the cost.
This story challenges us to ask: How do we respond when life gets hard?
Do we serve God with gladness, even in the darkest seasons?
True joy isn’t tied to our circumstances but to our decision to trust God and worship Him through every trial.
Psalm 100:2 calls us to “Serve the Lord with gladness.” That’s not just a command for easy times; it’s a way we are to live in all situations. We can choose to live with joy when we are enjoying blessings or enduring hardship. The reason for our ability to glorify God with joy is based on our confidence in His promises and His presence is with us. Like Martin Burnham, let us commit to serving God all the way—with gladness in our hearts—no matter what life may bring.
Advent is the season that reminds us to reflect on Jesus’s first coming as a way to prepare for his second coming. Through Advent, we meditate on God’s promises and choose to respond with hope, peace, and joy.
Psalm 100:2 calls us to “Serve the Lord with gladness.” That’s not just a command for easy times; it’s a way we are to live in all situations. We can choose to live with joy when we are enjoying blessings or enduring hardship. The reason for our ability to glorify God with joy is based on our confidence in His promises and His presence is with us. Like Martin Burnham, let us commit to serving God all the way—with gladness in our hearts—no matter what life may bring.
Advent is the season that reminds us to reflect on Jesus’s first coming as a way to prepare for his second coming. Through Advent, we meditate on God’s promises and choose to respond with hope, peace, and joy.
Unlike fleeting happiness, which is tied to circumstances, joy is a choice—a deep trust in God’s faithfulness, even when life is hard. As we explore Scriptures from Zephaniah, Luke, and Colossians, we discover that joy comes from trusting God to keep His promises while hoping for better things to come.
The prophet Zephaniah offers a vision of joy even amid waiting. Much of his prophecy speaks of judgment, yet in chapter 3, God gives His people hope. Zephaniah declares that a day is coming when judgment will end, enemies will be defeated, and God Himself will live among His people. This promise gives them a reason to rejoice, even while they wait.
For us, waiting on God’s promises can be difficult. Yet joy is found in trusting Him, even when circumstances feel uncertain. Zephaniah reminds us that God’s presence, salvation, and victory over fear are reasons to sing and rejoice. As followers of Jesus, we are called to find joy by anchoring ourselves in God’s promises—salvation, forgiveness, resurrection, and the hope of new creation.
Mary’s song, the Magnificat, flows out of her joy in seeing God’s promises fulfilled. After learning she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary visits Elizabeth, whose own miraculous pregnancy confirms God’s faithfulness. Mary’s song rejoices in God’s power to lift the humble, feed the hungry, and bring justice.
Mary and Elizabeth saw God at work, but their circumstances—Roman oppression and poverty—remained challenging. They chose joy because they trusted in God’s promises. Similarly, we need to train our hearts to see God’s work in our daily lives. Gratitude for even the smallest blessings opens our eyes to His faithfulness. By recognizing God’s provision and transformation in our lives, we can respond with joy and praise.
Paul reminds the Colossians to be joyful and grateful, even as they face false teachings and challenges in their faith. Why? Because God has rescued them from darkness and brought them into His Kingdom of light. This incredible gift of salvation is the ultimate reason for joy.
Gratitude is essential for living with joy. When we take God’s blessings for granted, we focus on what we lack rather than what we’ve been given. Practicing gratitude—especially for our salvation—grounds us in joy, even during difficult seasons. As Paul prayed for the Colossians, we too can pray for strength and endurance to live with joy, trusting in the redemption Christ has already secured for us.
Read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 and spend time in prayer, committing to live with joy each day. Consider where you see God at work in your life and thank Him for His faithfulness.
Joy in the Waiting
“Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart…” (Zephaniah 3:14-17; CSB)The prophet Zephaniah offers a vision of joy even amid waiting. Much of his prophecy speaks of judgment, yet in chapter 3, God gives His people hope. Zephaniah declares that a day is coming when judgment will end, enemies will be defeated, and God Himself will live among His people. This promise gives them a reason to rejoice, even while they wait.
For us, waiting on God’s promises can be difficult. Yet joy is found in trusting Him, even when circumstances feel uncertain. Zephaniah reminds us that God’s presence, salvation, and victory over fear are reasons to sing and rejoice. As followers of Jesus, we are called to find joy by anchoring ourselves in God’s promises—salvation, forgiveness, resurrection, and the hope of new creation.
Joy in God’s Fulfilled Promises
“And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” (Luke 1:46-55)Mary’s song, the Magnificat, flows out of her joy in seeing God’s promises fulfilled. After learning she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary visits Elizabeth, whose own miraculous pregnancy confirms God’s faithfulness. Mary’s song rejoices in God’s power to lift the humble, feed the hungry, and bring justice.
Mary and Elizabeth saw God at work, but their circumstances—Roman oppression and poverty—remained challenging. They chose joy because they trusted in God’s promises. Similarly, we need to train our hearts to see God’s work in our daily lives. Gratitude for even the smallest blessings opens our eyes to His faithfulness. By recognizing God’s provision and transformation in our lives, we can respond with joy and praise.
Joy in Redemption Through Christ
“… being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully…” (Colossians 1:11-14)Paul reminds the Colossians to be joyful and grateful, even as they face false teachings and challenges in their faith. Why? Because God has rescued them from darkness and brought them into His Kingdom of light. This incredible gift of salvation is the ultimate reason for joy.
Gratitude is essential for living with joy. When we take God’s blessings for granted, we focus on what we lack rather than what we’ve been given. Practicing gratitude—especially for our salvation—grounds us in joy, even during difficult seasons. As Paul prayed for the Colossians, we too can pray for strength and endurance to live with joy, trusting in the redemption Christ has already secured for us.
Conclusion: Choosing Joy
Advent is a time to prepare our hearts by remembering Jesus’ first coming and anticipating His return. As we reflect on God’s promises, His presence, and His gift of salvation, we are invited to live with joy—a joy not dependent on circumstances but on the hope and trust we have in Christ.Read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 and spend time in prayer, committing to live with joy each day. Consider where you see God at work in your life and thank Him for His faithfulness.
Final Thought
Happiness comes and goes with life’s ups and downs, but joy is a choice grounded in Jesus. In all circumstances, we can rejoice because God is with us, His promises are true, and His redemption is secure. Let us choose joy, trusting in the One who has already brought us from darkness into His marvelous light.
