The Birth of Joy
What Brings Joy – Part II

Scripture Reading: John 16:25-33

Key Verse: Psalm 96:11
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise!

Yesterday’s devotional ended with Jesus’s words to his followers on being careful about what you are rejoicing about.

Another title for this devotional could have been “Choose Your Reasons for Joy”. In other words, as a Christ-follower, we must remember that no matter what happens in our life, both good and bad, our eternal life gives us the best reason to rejoice!

Imagine for a moment someone laying on their death bed, moments before they face God, with no hope found in Jesus! It’s a horrible thought, isn’t it?

I often think of movie stars that have come to the end of their lives. These wealthy people have enjoyed all the comforts of this world; I imagine that many have never given a thought to how quickly their lives fade away. Then, all of a sudden, their careers are over, and they are about to cross over to eternity. I don’t know what they think about in those moments, but if they have not made Jesus their savior, they surely think of how worthless their wealth is in those end-of-life moments.

I said all this not to be morbid, but to emphasize the most important reasons for us to rejoice! If you have put your faith in Jesus and asked Him to forgive you of your sins… that was your birth of joy that never fades. You will have plenty of reasons to not be happy in this life, but no matter the circumstances you will have that underlying cause for joy.

There are times when it is hard to focus on this Joy in the Lord. I have often used the illustration of when we hit one of our fingers with a hammer. We do not usually say “praise the Lord for my other four fingers aren’t in pain”. But the truth is, you could have been in more pain by hitting more fingers. In other words, life is all about perspective… do not ever forget that this life is short, and eternity is very, very long!

If you have accepted Jesus and are following Him, God has your name registered in heaven. The Apostle Peter put this way:

There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. (1 Peter 1:6).

Father, help me to remember that I always have reason to be joyful. Thank you for drawing me and connecting me to Jesus; what joy to know that You have my name registered in heaven. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.