Join in the Joy
Through the years, I have frequently preached about joy. It is more than an emotion (although it includes emotion); rather, it is a settled attitude, a stable and sturdy approach to life that focuses us on the things that matter now and forever. Joy is much greater and much more powerful than happiness, which is event or circumstance driven. There is nothing wrong with happiness. It is certainly better than unhappiness. Also, we have different personalities. For example, my wife is happy-go-lucky. Of course, she has every reason to be, being married to me. However, not everyone can be married to me. We need something more substantial than happiness; that something is joy. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Yesterday, we saw that God the Son, Jesus Christ, finds joy in finding what is lost (Luke 15). Today, we see from Luke 10:21-22 that Jesus reveals His joy in the revelation of God the Father. This blessed divine interaction within the Triune Godhead is enlightening and heartening. Joy is to be shared, as it always has been within the Trinity. The particular focus of this joy is that others have understood Biblical truth and responded appropriately. The seventy disciples (verse 17) were filled with joy that some had hearkened to their Gospel message. Certainly the ones who had received this truth were similarly transformed. Verse 20 reminds us of the joy of everlasting salvation, and Jesus’ further commentary in verses 21-22 provides soaring hope that many others will enter into the family of God. Keep praying for those who need Jesus as Savior; keep praying that the truth will be revealed to them and that they will know joy. Remember the thief on the cross and Saul who became Paul – even the most hardened of hearts or most reckless of rebels can be saved.