For Christians, this Psalm is even more comforting when we realize God has destroyed the enemies we could never defeat: sin, death, and the power of the devil. Salvation for God’s people has come from Zion, where Jesus cried, “It is finished!” and death lost its sting (1 Cor. 15:55). The worst that can happen to any of us is we die. But death has already been defeated. There is now nothing to dread or be afraid of.

In our broken and fallen world, our joy seems like this, ephemeral, brief, and transient. Not so with our LORD. His joy is our strength day in and day out.

Yes, God’s anger is real concerning sin, but His suffering servant has canceled the power of sin.

Even in the middle of the somber reflection of Lent, there is room for joy!

When we turn to the LORD in repentance, we do not find a vengeful, angry God, but one who is ready to forgive. We see this most clearly in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Navajo!

May God bless all of you at Christmas and all year round and thank you for all that you do to make Native ministry happen.

Joy is beyond sentiment; it is beyond happiness (which depends on circumstances). Joy is the gift of God, through the grace of God. May you also find surprising joy this Advent.

Advent keeps our focus on Christ who came the first time to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil, and the Christ who is coming again to set aright all that is wrong in the world. On that blessed day, no one will think of drinking himself to death. All that is so disordered in the world will be made new.