Topical Bible: Joy: Afflictions of Saints Succeeded By

◄ Joy: Afflictions of Saints Succeeded By ►

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In the Christian faith, joy is often understood as a profound sense of gladness and contentment that transcends circumstances. This joy is not merely an emotional response but a deep-seated assurance rooted in the promises and presence of God. The Bible frequently illustrates how the afflictions of the saints are succeeded by joy, emphasizing the transformative power of God's grace and the ultimate triumph of His purposes.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. Job's Restoration: The account of Job is a profound example of afflictions succeeded by joy. Job, a righteous man, endured severe trials, losing his wealth, health, and family. Despite his suffering, Job remained faithful to God. In the end, God restored Job's fortunes, giving him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). This restoration brought joy and demonstrated God's faithfulness and justice.

2. Joseph's Rise to Power: Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned in Egypt, experienced significant afflictions. However, God was with Joseph, and he eventually rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. His afflictions were succeeded by joy as he was reunited with his family and used by God to save many lives during a famine (Genesis 50:20).

3. Paul and Silas in Prison: In the New Testament, Paul and Silas were imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Despite their chains, they sang hymns and prayed, demonstrating joy in the midst of suffering. God miraculously freed them through an earthquake, leading to the conversion of the jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-34). Their afflictions were succeeded by joy as they witnessed God's power and the spread of the gospel.

4. The Early Church: The early Christians faced persecution and hardship, yet they rejoiced in their sufferings, knowing that such trials produced perseverance and hope (Romans 5:3-5). The apostles, after being flogged for preaching in Jesus' name, left rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:41).

5. The Promise of Eternal Joy: Scripture assures believers that present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18). The afflictions of this life are temporary, and they will be succeeded by eternal joy in the presence of God. Revelation 21:4 promises that God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.

Theological Insights

The afflictions of the saints are often seen as a means through which God refines and strengthens their faith. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to consider it pure joy when they face trials, as these lead to perseverance and maturity. The joy that follows affliction is not merely a return to previous circumstances but an elevation to a deeper understanding and experience of God's love and faithfulness.

The joy that succeeds affliction is also a testament to the hope that Christians have in Christ. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of eternal life. As 1 Peter 1:6-9 explains, believers rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, even though they may suffer grief in all kinds of trials, because they are receiving the goal of their faith, the salvation of their souls.

Practical Implications

For believers today, the biblical pattern of afflictions succeeded by joy offers encouragement and perspective. It reminds Christians that suffering is not the end of the account and that God is at work even in the darkest times. This understanding empowers believers to endure hardships with hope and to look forward to the joy that God has promised.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 30:5
For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
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Psalm 126:5
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
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Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy on their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
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John 16:20
Truly, truly, I say to you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
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Library

Satan Considering the Saints
... they are jubilant and full of joy; then will ... To conclude, Job's afflictions and Job's
patience have been ... how many saints have been comforted in their distress ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/satan considering the saints.htm

The Day of Rejoicing
... a man, who has been through so many perils and afflictions, and who ... Receive, therefore,
beloved, with all joy and glory to God, your Bishop ... "The Saints of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 7 the day of.htm

Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... the blessed martyr Pelagia, entertained us, with much joy. ... he obtained this office
from those saints, and that ... 373] and he glories in his afflictions everywhere ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on s ignatius and.htm

Constant, Instant, Expectant
... two remedies for impatience under such afflictions, remedies which ... joy is sure to
spring from it, for joy is the ... to the necessities of the saints." Because we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/constant instant expectant.htm

Manasseh
... men who hated God, who have leaped for joy, and said ... it were not for great trials
and afflictions we should ... this that led Manasseh to persecute the saints of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/manasseh.htm

Philippians iv. 14-Oct
... How then, did they share his afflictions? ... do we so act; "but may my God" fulfill
every need of yours, or every grace, or every joy. ... "All the saints salute you ...
/.../homily xv philippians iv 14-oct.htm

From the Close of the General Conference in 1796, to the ...
... of Tennessee, but such were his bodily afflictions, that, through ... throughout the
district, to the joy and salvation ... midst of these exercises, the saints of God ...
/.../chapter 3 from the close.htm

Of the Holy Men who Flourished About this Time in Egypt, Namely ...
... Anuph, Hilarion, and a Register of many other Saints. ... and prepared it to quit the
body with joy. ... hunger and thirst, cold and heat, and other afflictions of the ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xiv of the holy men.htm

The General Service to a Nun.
... the Theotokion: Held down by afflictions we entreat thee, O ... the sight of the Lord
is the death of His saints. ... thou that hast from angel received the Joy of the ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxii the general service.htm

The Beatific vision
... thy face in righteousness." And most saints on their ... of our bone, in all our agonies,
afflictions, and distresses ... trembling, but it will be with joy; we shall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the beatific vision.htm