What Joy?

 What Joy?

Isaiah 61:1-11[1]

When I was a child, the promise was made that technology would one day provide us with more “leisure time” than any other generation in history. And the idea was that we could use all that “free time” to pursue happiness. I can’t say that promise was ever fulfilled. Yes, we have faster and easier ways to do everything, from everyday chores to being “productive” at work, from communicating with one another to finding any kind of information. All those activities have been to some extent “automated” by technology. Even a task like writing a sermon. I’ve never tried it, but the latest generative artificial intelligence offers to do our research for us, and at least provide us with a draft for whatever project we’re working on. At the risk of sounding like a luddite, I really can’t say that all our technology has translated into more leisure time, or more happiness.

I think part of the problem is that no amount of technology can truly enable us to escape the reality of our experience with life. One of the fundamental truths of the human condition is, “wherever you go, there you are.” That means we carry around our own happiness or unhappiness. Technology may make it easier for us to distract ourselves by doing things that are “fun,” or simply by escaping into the vast maze of “entertainment” options that’s available to us 24/7 with nothing more than a phone and an internet connection. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’re just settling for a way to pass the time without really having to deal with whatever we’re facing. At the end of the day, when you’re looking at yourself in the mirror and it’s just you there, “wherever you go, there you are.” Whatever happiness or unhappiness you carry with you is still there.

In part, it’s been my experience that we tend to sabotage our own happiness. What we focus on stands in the way of finding true happiness in life. For example, some of us may think that our happiest days were back in the past somewhere. When our happiness is bound to the past, we find ourselves stuck in a kind of perpetual grief over what we’ve lost. That leads to what can sometimes be deep and unshakeable sadness. When we believe that our happiness is tied up with a certain (very particular) version of the future, we find ourselves plagued by fear. If we can only be happy if things turn out the way we hope, clinging to those notions only fuels our worry. In my experience, the only way to be truly happy is to choose to be content with your life just as it is, without changing anything. You choose to be satisfied with your past, present, and future. You choose to be comfortable in your skin because it’s the only one you’re going to have in which to live.

Our Scripture lessons for today speak to the issue of finding happiness through contentment. The word they use is not happiness, but “joy.” The Psalmist speaks of the return of the people of Israel from exile in Babylon in fairly optimistic terms: “When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’ Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!” (Ps 126:1-3 NLT). But instead of a song of joy, instead of being amazed enough to say “What joy!” in response to what God had done, there are plenty of indications elsewhere in the Bible that the people who returned from exile may have turned that exclamation into a question. They may have wondered what joy there was for them in their return.

As we’ve discussed, their experience after mourning in exile for decades was that they had returned to a home that was devastated, and their mourning continued. The fact that the “servant of the Lord” in Isaiah could say he was chosen by God to bring “good news to the oppressed” (Isa. 61:1) echoes indications elsewhere in the Bible that after they returned home to Judea the Jewish people struggled just to survive. That included having the safety of shelter and the ability to raise crops to feed themselves. Their lives were far from “happy.” In fact, some of them were literally stuck in prison, and the servant promised that they would be released. If we wonder about that, we may need to understand that in that day prison wasn’t a place where justice was carried out. Prison was a means of control. Kings threw their rivals into prison. Enemy captives were thrown into prison. Those who had incurred more debt than they could pay were thrown into prison. True criminals were executed swiftly, so the majority of those who were kept in prison very likely hadn’t committed anything we would consider a crime.

In that situation, the “servant” had the courage and the vision to declare boldly to all who found themselves in this seemingly hopeless situation that God was going to relieve their suffering, comfort them in their sorrow, and set right all the wrongs they had endured. It’s quite clear in Scripture that God is on the side of the poor, the oppressed, those unjustly deprived of their freedom, and in fact, all who suffer due to the heartless ways we treat our fellow human beings. And that means that God will not always stand by while his beloved children suffer and mourn in sorrow. The promise of our Scripture lesson for today is that God would enable them to rejoice with the “oil of gladness” instead of fainting under the burden of continual mourning (Isa 61:3).

When I look at our world, it seems there is precious little joy. There is some: the joy of a baby who is much loved. The joy of families getting together. The joy of faith that chooses to trust God’s unfailing love even when we don’t understand our lives. But too many people are trading “happiness” for joy. We seem all too content to find “happiness” through “fun” or entertainment. But when you step back and take a pause to really look at what’s going on, it’s almost as if every effort we make to “find” happiness only reminds us that we’re not happy. All those “fun” times fade so quickly, and it may leave us positively frantic to keep trying to find “happiness.” Call me a cynic, but I wonder if that’s because all the running around we do to find that elusive “happiness” is only a way of avoiding having to admit to ourselves that we may not be happy at all.

The promise of Scripture on this third Sunday in Advent is that God comforts those who mourn, lifts the burdens that weigh us down, and sets us free from everything that robs us of joy in this life. That doesn’t mean we can expect God to grant our every wish. The joy that’s promised to us on this third Sunday of Advent comes from the promise that God would send us a Savior who would not only proclaim the good news, but who would also enact it by relieving suffering and setting all things right in the world. If we find it challenging to see that promise fulfilled in our day and time, we can remember that the message of Christmas is that “God’s light is more real than all the darkness, that God’s truth is more powerful than all human lies, that God’s love is stronger than death.”[2] When we wonder what joy there is to be found in this world, we can remember that God isn’t yet finished with the saving work he began in the birth of Jesus. And so we celebrate with the words of  the Psalmist: “Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”

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[1] © 2023 Alan Brehm. A sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Brehm PhD on 12/17/2023 for Hickman Presbyterian Church, Hickman, NE.

[2] Henri J. M. Nouwen, Here and Now: Living in the Spirit, 32

God's Peace

 God’s Peace

Isaiah 40:1-11[1]

There was a time not so long ago when “depression” was viewed as something shameful and secret. We didn’t talk about it openly. Then it was widely reported in the news that more Americans than ever were taking anti-depressants. People believed that anti-depressants were just “feel good” pills that those who struggled with mental health issues used because they couldn’t get their act together. But the truth about anti-depressants is that they’re not pills that make you feel good automatically. There are very different types of anti-depressants designed to treat very specific medical issues. And here’s the catch: if you take an anti-depressant that doesn’t treat your specific medical issue, it’ll make you feel worse, not better. And in some cases, it’ll make you feel much worse. I’m not a medical doctor, nor am I a pharmacist. But as many of you know, I do have a life-long history of dealing with depression. I know what it’s like to try to feel just “okay” and simply not be able to do it. Fortunately, with the help of the right medication and years invested with some really good counselors, I am better now.

What medical science has only recently discovered is that the root cause for depression in very many cases is actually anxiety. I’ve mentioned that my experience with early childhood was not a happy one. In fact it was quite traumatic. So much so that I only have a few memories from early childhood. The challenge for me was that the fears from my childhood were wired into my nervous system as an adult. I struggled with chronic anxiety even after getting treatment for depression. I’m not talking about the normal nervousness we all get from time to time. I’m talking about anxiety that stalks you like a ghost when you’re awake as well as when you’re asleep. No matter what you do, you just can’t seem to shake it. Fortunately, again, with the right medical help and some good counseling, I’m no longer plagued by the specter of anxiety.

I don’t mention this to draw attention to myself. I mention it because I know that there are still people who struggle with untreated depression and anxiety. And if I can encourage one person to get the help they need by talking about my story, it’s worth it. More than that, this is the second Sunday of Advent. It’s the day when we celebrate the peace that comes with the good news of Jesus’ birth. It seems to me that if we’re going to talk about peace, we should talk about the obstacles to peace. I have to confess that even though I love the message of Christmas, for most of my life this time of year hasn’t been a peaceful one at all. It’s been one in which I was troubled by pain and fear. And even the good news of Jesus’ birth and the new life promised to all of us through him didn’t help me with my depression and anxiety.

One of the lessons I learned in my journey is that I had to take some practical steps in order to find peace in my life, like using a gratitude list, as I mentioned recently. I also have a list of “all the good things” I’ve encountered in my life that I want to remember. I have as well a “cloud of witnesses,” or a list of people who’ve been my mentors and friends, people who have believed in me and supported me through times of crisis. And one of the main reasons why I exercise so regularly is because it helps me keep my head on (at least) somewhat “straight.” But I have other practical steps I take as well. For example, I’m a great fan of the “Serenity Prayer”: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” In fact, I usually pray that prayer on a daily basis. It’s a constant reminder to me that there’s so much about life that I cannot control. It helps me remember that trying to control the things I cannot change only winds up making me miserable, robbing me of peace. Practical steps like these have helped me know personal peace in my life.

But of course, as we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent, we’re reminded that peace is a spiritual matter. Like many of you, I’ve drawn comfort from the Psalms for most of my life. And going along with the theme of promise I’m pursuing this year during Advent, I’ve drawn comfort from the promises of Scripture for decades. Promises like “you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Ps 9:10). Or “though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand” (Ps 37:24). Or, “the Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces” (Isa 25:8). Or, “those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa 40:31). In fact, I have a list of promises in the Bible I use at home, a list I’ve had for almost 30 years. Reminding myself of those promises has been a source of peace for me for decades.

Our reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah for today speaks to us about peace. The prophet promised the people in the name of the Lord that God was coming to comfort them. But for a people who had lost everything in exile, that promise may have seemed an empty one. During their exile there were many false prophets who had gotten their hopes up. Now, when Isaiah announces in the name of the Lord that the time has finally come, it would seem they had no more faith for promises. In response to their despair, the prophet reminds them that while they may feel that they are like the grass that withers and the flowers that fade, “the word of our God will stand forever” (Isa 40:8). In this setting that statement is an assurance that God will not leave the promise that he would restore his people to their land unfulfilled. But I think it has a broader application. The idea is that God’s promises never fail. That’s because God is a God who keeps his promises.

As I’ve shared with you before, there are some wonderful promises in the book of the prophet Isaiah. In our lesson for today, the “Gospel according to the prophet Isaiah” is that God would bring the people home from exile like a shepherd who gently carries the lambs who are either too weak or who perhaps have been injured (Isa 40:11). This good news echoes through the whole book of Isaiah in various ways. The Lord promises to end violence and warfare (Isa 2:4), as well as suffering and oppression (Isa 25:8). The Lord promises to set a rich feast for all peoples (Isa 25:6), and to set right all the wrongs (Isa 28:5-6). The Lord promises to restore and heal those who are weak and injured (Isa 35:3-6). And again, in case there is any doubt about these promises, the Lord affirms, “My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention” (Isa 46:10).

This second Sunday in Advent reminds us that the promises of Scripture can help us find peace. Regardless of our circumstances, regardless of what anyone else does, we can find peace through the promises of Scripture because “the word of our God will stand forever” (Isa 40:8). We can find peace through the promises of Scripture because, as the prophet said in the name of the Lord, “my word … that goes out from my mouth … shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose” (Isa 55:11). Yes, it’s important that we do the practical things that help us stay peaceful in our hearts and minds. But more importantly, we hold on to the promises of Scripture in the assurance that God always keeps his promises. That assurance provides us with a kind of peace that St. Paul said “surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7). It’s God’s peace, the peace that truly lasts through all the experiences of our lives.

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[1] ©2023 Alan Brehm. A sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Brehm PhD on 12/10/2023 for Hickman Presbyterian Church, Hickman, NE.

Standing on the Promises?

Standing on the Promises?

Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9[1]

We live in a world of broken promises. I would imagine that most of us have been through the experience of someone making a promise to us and then breaking it. Depending on the situation, it may have been simply disappointing. Or it may have been devastating. Or something in between. The reality of life can leave us feeling hurt and bitter. It can lead us to doubt whether we can ever trust anyone anywhere at any time for any reason. And that doubt may spill over into our faith. We may wonder what kind of God would allow some of things that happen to us in this life. I think that’s the path that has led many to question whether there even is a God, or perhaps refuse to believe in God at all. In my experience, a lot of the people who call themselves “atheists” have been through great disappointment in life.

Some of us take the opposite approach. Because life has been so disappointing, we track down every promise in Scripture and cling to them as if they were some kind of magical spell that will make everything turn out just the way we want it. If we just repeat the “promise” enough times, and with enough “faith,” God will “have” to grant us our wish. This approach to the promises of Scripture turns God into a “genie in the bottle” who is there to do our bidding. But the problem is that while we may convince ourselves that approach to faith “works,” it will not hold up against the inevitable hardships that come our way in life. When hard times come, that kind of “magical” faith will fall like a “house of cards,” because it has no real foundation. And the result can be the same: we may think God didn’t “live up” to his promise, so we’re left wondering why we should trust in him.

I think the problem with both of those approaches to the promises of Scripture is that they miss the point. The promises of Scripture aren’t about guaranteeing certain outcomes in our lives. They’re there to remind us who God is. They remind us that we believe in a God who will “never fail us or forsake us.” We may feel like God has let us down, or we may feel abandoned by God, but the promises of the Scriptures remind us that God isn’t that kind of God. God sticks around, no matter what. We may not always be aware of it, but God is always there, loving us, guiding us, seeking our best. When we look at the promises of Scripture this way, it gives us a different way of relating to them. Instead of trying to use them to get what we want out of life, we can use the promises of the Scriptures to build our lives on a foundation that lasts: God’s love for us that never fails.

Our Scripture lessons for today point us in this direction. I think the people to whom the lesson from Isaiah was directed must have been questioning God’s promises. After 70 years of captivity in Babylon, some of them were allowed to return to their home. But when they got back to Judea, the reality of their “new life” fell far short of what they had hoped. The temple lay in ruins. Jerusalem had no walls to protect them. Instead of returning to a “land flowing with milk and honey,” they returned to a land that had been devastated by war and was left a wasteland. The prophet speaks aloud the questions that must have been on the minds of the people. Their circumstances and God’s seeming silence and absence left them questioning what they had been told for generations, that God would never forsake them.

We see something of the same thing in our Psalm for today. The Psalmist gives voice to what must have been on the minds of the people who returned to Jerusalem. They remembered how they had prospered like a grapevine planted by God that had spread its branches far and wide. But now, they were like a vineyard that had been “chopped up and burned” (Ps 80:16, NLT). They knew it was because they had abandoned God in the past. And they also knew that their only hope was for God to “Turn us again to yourself.” Their only hope was for God to “Make your face shine down upon us.” As the Psalmist concludes, “Only then will we be saved” (Ps 80:3, NLT)! Even though they knew they’d failed God, even though they felt the burden of their circumstances as if God had abandoned them, they knew that their hope laid with the God who promised never to fail them or forsake them!

We all have times in our lives when we feel God’s “silence” and “absence.” Perhaps we’ve fallen short in some way, and we feel the sting of our failure keenly. Or perhaps others have let us down, and the pain of disappointment burdens us. Or perhaps life just hasn’t turned out the way we hoped it would, and we’re left wondering where to turn and what to do next. Precisely in those times it is the promises of Scripture that remind us that, though we may feel like God has abandoned us, God never abandons anyone. The promises of Scripture show us a God who always cares for us, so that we can always cast all our cares on him, whatever may come our way. They show us a God who never forsakes us, though everyone else we know may turn their backs on us. They show us a God who loves us with a love that will never let us go. I think that’s something to hang onto when life leaves us wondering where God is and whether you can even make it through another day.

In this season of Advent, our hope goes further than that. The promises of Scripture not only assure us that God will never fail us or forsake us, and that God loves us with a love that will never let us go. The promises of Scripture also assure us that the God who began this creation as something “very good” will not rest until it has been restored to being “very good” again. And they promise us that God has begun to do that very thing through Jesus Christ. In the birth of the one who is “God-who-is-with-us” and “God-who-is-for-us,” God entered this world to break all the cycles of pain and fear and suffering. In Jesus’ death and resurrection, God used his mighty power to break the power of all that would harm us, to break the power of death itself. It’s in that confident assurance that St. Paul could promise the first Christians that God would keep them strong to the very end because God “is faithful to do what he says” (1 Cor 1:9, NLT).

On this first Sunday of Advent, we’re reminded that the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ calls us to live in hope. We live in the hope that people of faith have cherished for millennia, the hope that our help comes from the one who made all the heavens and the earth. We live in the hope that people of faith have cherished for centuries, the hope that the one who raised Jesus from the dead is working through him to make all things right and to make all things new. There are times in our lives when this life may seem to contradict those essential foundation stones for our faith. And for some of us, this time of year may serve as a painful reminder of all the ways that life has disappointed us. But the promises of Scripture remind us that God is always “faithful to do what he says.” The only way for that to change is for God to stop being God. And the promises of Scripture remind us that God loves us with a love that will never let us go. As St. Paul assures us, no matter what we may have to go through, there is nothing in this life that can change that. As we make our way through this season of Advent, may God’s unfailing love for us rekindle a spirit of hope that will help us face all that life may bring our way.[2]

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[1] © 2023 Alan Brehm. A sermon delivered by Rev. Alan Brehm PhD on 12/3/2023 for Hickman Presbyterian Church, Hickman, NE.

[2] Cf. Henri Nouwen, Finding My Way Home, 101-103, where he says, “I have found it very important in my own life to try to let go of my wishes and instead to live in hope. I find that when I choose to let go of my sometimes petty and superficial wishes and trust that my life is precious and meaningful in the eyes of God, something really new, something beyond my own expectations begins to happen in me. To wait with openness and trust is an enormously radical attitude toward life. It is choosing to hope that something is happening for us that is far beyond our own imaginings. It is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life.”