Joy

The seventy returned with joy… In that same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, O Father…” Luke 10:17 & 21 (WEB)

Joy is a provision for every believer, given by the power of the Spirit of God.

Our key verse from Luke 10 is describing an event between Jesus and the 70 disciples that He sent out to share the Good News of the Gospel. These people had fully submitted to the teachings of Jesus. They followed Christ’s specific instructions for reaching out to their lost world. And though they believed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, their faith was made sight by this wonderful event.

Jesus told the seventy… “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 (WEB)

Jesus was moved by their faith, and by the joy He felt in connection with Abba, His Father. Read His prayer in verse 21.

In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.” (WEB)

These courageous and faithful followers obeyed the Savior. By the power of His name, they healed the sick and cast out demons. They were filled with joy, and their faith grew exponentially.

When we know people who have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, we should know this same joy, too. All of Heaven celebrates redemption of everyone. This is the key to our contentment. Not prosperity and materialism.

We should be content that God uses our lives to illuminate Him in this dark world. When you love Jesus, you want others to know what you know about Him.

No matter what is going on in your life do you understand the joy that comes from knowing Jesus? If you don’t know joy, but only the happiness of current circumstances, then you need to verify your walk with God. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit that bears witness that we are saved.

Happiness is fleeting. It will come and go. But joy is for a lifetime in the life of a devoted believer.

But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.” Matthew 19:14 WEB

Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”^[a] Nehemiah 8:10 CSB

By finding our joy in God, we have all of His power at our fingertips to get through every day. Delighting in a personal relationship with God means that we love to read His Word, and we talk to Him all through the day. We share the Gospel with those on the outside, and we obey His commands. And yes, the Ten Commandments are still relevant.

The new commands given by Jesus are relevant, too. Why not re-familiarize yourself with all of the precepts of God? They were not given as an onerous task, but as a guide for our walk with God.

Enabled by the Holy Spirit to keep God’s law, we will be aware of our sin and be strengthened to live rightly before God and man.

For believers who have put God on a shelf, just remember, this joy is out of reach for you until you truly repent. You can’t lose your salvation, but there is more to the Christian walk than just making it to heaven. Truly loving Jesus makes a change in our hearts. Have you experienced that kind of difference? Your salvation cost Jesus far too much for you to easily push Him aside.

Share the Good News in your world!

Isaiah 52:7

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.