Everlasting Joy

Scripture:

8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

1 Peter 1:8 NIV

22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 

John 16:22-24

Devotional:

What does joy mean? Where does joy come from? 

In this world of media, the bad news is easily portrayed and even exaggerated to a degree. We go through trials daily and we are tested which can put a toll on us. If we aren’t careful, these things can corrupt our minds. With so much bad news and trials, how do we keep our chin up?

 We need joy.

 We first need to understand what joy is and where it comes from. In 1 Peter 1:8 Peter writes about this inexpressible joy from a source that we have not seen with our eyes. How can something we haven’t seen bring us joy like this? Things that can be seen such as clothes, cars, food, etc. give us a false sense of fulfillment. A temporary high that leaves us wanting more and that’s how addiction starts. We try to fill a hole in ourselves with something that disappears. So this invisible source, how can we get joy from it? 

This type of joy is a choice, not an emotion. Our circumstances and situations are always changing. Life is filled with mountains and valleys that we are riding through. With these unforeseen circumstances, we must choose to follow and trust Jesus. He is a consistent and rock solid source. Trusting in Him will give you joy when it doesn’t make sense. We can have joy in grief and suffering. We can have joy in the roughest seasons of life. We can have joy in the best seasons of life. This joy will last us and fill us. 
Choose to trust Jesus.  

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for everyone reading this. I pray for an unexplainable joy in their lives. I pray they trust in You and accept You into their hearts. Help us all to live for You and dedicate our lives to You. Thank You for Your unconditional love. 

Amen