GREAT JOY
“And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”–Luke 24:52–53
When the disciples made their way back to Jerusalem after watching Jesus ascend up to Heaven, they were rejoicing. It was not because they were unaware of the trouble they were about to face. The night before the crucifixion Jesus told them that they would face hatred and persecution for His sake. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). Instead they rejoiced because of Jesus.
Robert Murray McCheyne said, “The purest joy in the world is joy in Christ Jesus. When the Spirit is poured down, His people get very near and clear views of the Lord Jesus. They taste that the Lord is gracious. His blood and righteousness appear infinitely perfect, full, and free to their souls. They sit under His shadow with great delight. They rest in the cleft of the rock. They lean on the Beloved. They find infinite strength in Him for the use of their soul—grace for grace—all they can need in any hour of trial and suffering to the very end.”
A Christian’s joy is not the result of circumstances, but a result of the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. And it is that joy that equips and strengthens us to resolve that we will carry on no matter what trials or hardships we may face. As the prophet Nehemiah told those post-exile Jews in Jerusalem, “…the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Remember that when Jesus ascended to Heaven, He left the disciples with an enormous task—to preach the gospel in all the world. Yet, because they had a real relationship with Christ and believed His promises of His power for the task, they could go to their assignment with joy. When we lose our joy, we lose our strength for the battle. (Daily in the Word)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
