Holy Spirit DevotionalSample

JOY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas were preaching salvation to the Gentiles when they were persecuted by the Jews for what they were doing. As they were being persecuted, they were driven out of the city. Most of us today, when encountering this kind of spiritual resistance, would be tempted to stop what we were doing, run, and even hide. Paul and Barnabas did the opposite! Scripture says they “shook the dust off from their feet against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” This is the perfect example of joy-based warfare—when we let joy, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, become our strength.

What does your life look like when you encounter resistance? Do you stand your ground, knowing that “He who sits in the heavens laughs (Psalms 2:4)?” Do you operate in joy-based warfare against the spiritual attacks of the enemy? Proverbs 13:9 says, “the light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” The joy of the Lord is a primary way that we are set apart as believers. When we are told the world is crumbling, we as believers stay steadfast, knowing our hope isn’t in this world, but in Jesus! When our finances don’t look like what we need, we hold steady knowing God is our Provider. When we are hit with unwavering grief, the Holy Spirit is our Comforter and reminds us that Jesus is coming back and we will see our loved ones again! Our response as believers in the face of adversity and resistance is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

If you feel like the fruit of joy has been missing from your life, right now ask the Holy Spirit to give it to you. Let Him show you the areas in your life where you have stopped clinging to the glory that is to come through Jesus! Thank Him for all that you have in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to refresh you with His joy and teach you how to steward joy every day of your life!

Pray: Holy Spirit, give me joy in the midst of spiritual resistance. Show me what it looks like to hold steady to You and Your words. Make Your joy abound in me as I go about my day. Teach me to shake off the attacks of the enemy and continue on with what You have called me to steward. I love you, Holy Spirit! Thank you for pruning me and producing Your fruit in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.