Personal Introduction (v.2) Review of God’s Judgment (vv. 3-15) Emotional Conclusion (vv )

Shock (16)

Revenge?

Shock (16) Revenge? or Remorse

“[T]he self-assurance of modern Christians, the basic levity present in so many of our religious gatherings, the shocking disrespect shown for the Person of God, are evidence enough of deep blindness of heart…. ‘The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life’ [Proverbs 14:27] but this healing fear is today hardly found among Christian [people].” The Loss of Spiritual “Shock” A. W. Tozer

Shock (16) Desperation (17)

Shock (16) Desperation (17) Joy (18-19)

Joy is the Christian’s contentment resting on the certain truth that satisfaction of our deepest delights comes not FROM God but IN God. Defining Joy

As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God! 3 But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! Psalm 68:2-3

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44

“Saving faith is the confidence that if you sell all you have and forsake all sinful pleasures, the hidden treasure of holy joy will satisfy your deepest desires. Saving faith is the heartfelt conviction not only that Christ is reliable, but also that He is desirable. It is the confidence that He will come through with His promises and that what He promises is more to be desired than all the world.” Joyful Faith

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm 32:11

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Joy in Other Things

Marginalizing Joy

Holy God, I long for true joy but I cannot find it without You. You are the only joy I now want. I have tried to squeeze joy out of things You created, even good things like relationships and health and money. They cannot satisfy me and by trusting in them I have mocked You. You would be perfectly just to reject me as I have rejected You. I deserve your judgment. But I know that You are the God who saves. Joy’s Prayer

You sent Jesus to rescue me from sin and restore me to joy. His perfect life and sacrificial death satisfy all demands against me due to my sin. I renounce my foolishness at depending on something less than You to give me what only You can give. There is nothing of greater value than Jesus and I trust Him completely to bring me eternal joy. Joy’s Prayer