So, you want to be a man or woman of God? If so, you are going to be served a cup of pain. You’ll weep because of something much worse than physical pain. I’m speaking of the pain of being bruised and rejected by friends; the pain of parents when children trample their hearts and become strangers to them; the pain between a husband and wife when walls are built up between them.

I have read many biographies of missionaries, ranging from contemporary times to ancient history. You would think these precious people, so used of God, would have stories of constant love, power and joy. Not so. Their stories are marked by heartache, discouragement, even treachery — stories not of adventure but of tears.

I am amazed at our Lord’s loving response to grief. As I read the Bible, I see that nothing stirs the heart of God more than the soul that is overcome with grief.

Grief is defined as “deep sorrow” or “sadness caused by extreme distress.” Isaiah tells us the Lord himself is acquainted with this most wrenching emotion: “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

We see a powerful example of God’s loving response to grief in Mark 5, where we read of Jesus’ encounter with Jairus, a synagogue ruler.

Paul says a time comes when “having done all, [we] stand” (Ephesians 6:13). We stand on God’s Word — in spite of all our pain and grief, in spite of all the weakness of our flesh. In the Word of God we read of two who made the determination that, “I just need to touch the hem of his garment.” (The account of the ruler of the synagogue and the woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years is found in Mark 5:22-43.)

As God’s people, we cannot go forward to fullness in Christ if we don’t increasingly separate ourselves from the spirit of this world. If we are not becoming more heavenly minded and less attached to worldly pleasures surrounding us, we will be drained of the joy of our salvation. The sad truth is, many believers are unable to enjoy their salvation because they neglect obeying God’s Word. Obedience to his Word is the place that blessing and joy begin!

When we began Times Square Church in 1987, we quickly realized we were pastoring in a modern-day Corinth, one of the most carnal areas in the world in New Testament times. Therefore, we had to preach a convicting message that would awaken hearts. When we first opened our doors, our services were attended by many Christians who worked in the entertainment industry on stage and in television and film. Some had chosen to stay in careers that clearly dishonored the Lord.

I believe that deep, abiding joy is largely missing in much of the church today. I have heard Christians say, “We prayed down a revival in our church.” Yet revival cannot happen by prayer alone. There cannot be any such awakening unless people hunger diligently for God’s Word. And they must wholly commit their lives to being governed by the Scriptures. We cannot obtain heaven’s joy until the pure Word has convicted us of our backslidings.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). At the time these words were proclaimed, the Israelites had just returned from captivity in Babylon. Under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, the people had rebuilt Jerusalem’s ruined walls. Now they set their sights on reestablishing the temple and restoring the nation.

As Christians we know Jesus is the only hope for the world.

Paul speaks of this hope when he writes: “Remember . . . that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens . . . strangers from the covenants of promise, having NO HOPE and without God in the world. But now . . . you . . .  have been brought near by the blood of Christ. FOR HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE” (Ephesians 2:11-14, my caps).

Brokenness is to give up all hope of attaining heaven by any measure of personal goodness. It is to lay down all trust in our own efforts. It is turning wholly to the victory of the cross of Christ, believing he is the only way. Finally, it means trusting him to empower us through his Spirit to live up to his claim on our lives.

We need brokenness and humility to keep walking in faith: “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).