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Jesus is greater than any joy

Devotional

Our world measures joy by time, preferably instant. This kind of measurement leads to the tantalizing promise of instant gratification. It also sees joy disappear as quickly as it instantly came.

Jesus promises joy, but not always instant. Pain will turn to joy. Mourning will turn to joy. Loneliness will turn to joy. Desires will turn to joy. The kind of joy promised by Jesus is different than our joy. When we speak of joy we actually mean happiness. Joy and happiness are not the same. Joy is irrevocable. Happiness is a child with a balloon on a windy day.

The joy that Jesus speaks about in this passage is rooted in the profound fact that He is God. Jesus can say, “no one can take the fullness of our joy” (John 16:22) because He is God. The bedrock foundation of our joy must be this: Jesus is God in the flesh. He is the most valuable thing in the universe.

We will have challenges and struggles. We will stub our toe and have bad days. We will lose our job, or keys or hair. If Jesus is our ultimate treasure, our joy will be complete and we will walk in peace. Good days and bad can all lead us to joy. In the name of Jesus Christ we will rejoice in everlasting joy. Everlasting is a good thing. It’s instant.

Pray

Thank you Jesus for knowing what we need. I praise you for turning my worldly grief into eternal joy. Please let the joy you give me point others to the complete joy found only in You.