The King Is ComingSample

Joy

Storms come no matter how much we prepare. Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said we will have trouble in this world— maybe even at Christmastime (which seems especially wrong). Does anyone have a testimony on this? But before this gets depressing, let’s remember that our Savior offers us the most precious gift of redemption and the promise of eternal life in his presence. No sin or mistake is too horrible, and no enemy strong enough to separate us from him. To really accept and know this in our heart is to tap into the true joy of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us—right now.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and cannot be taken from us, but still, we have to choose it. We have to choose to look beyond our circumstances. When we do, we’re not the only ones to experience joy. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4). Zephaniah 3:17 says the Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, he will be quiet in his love, he will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. God wants to share all that he is with us. We might be happy receiving trinkets, but he wants so much more for us.

Have you ever wished a person you loved could be there with you to see that beautiful sunset or taste that amazing dish at that cozy restaurant? You want those you love to experience all the good things you experience. God wants the same—to share his joy with us…for no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him.

REFLECT

We often limit the joy God has ready for us to experience.

RESPOND