Summer Fruit Devotion: Joy Day 5

Joy in Christ

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:20-24

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;” Philippians 4:4-5

The love of Christ is the source of our joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Just like nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, Jesus says “no one will take your joy from you.” They can take your freedom but not your joy in worship, like Paul and Silas singing at midnight in prison. They can take your dignity and good reputation like they did by calling the disciples false prophets. They can even take your life like they took the lives of the disciples one after another, but they can’t take your joy in Christ. They can’t take away the joy of your salvation, your joy in fellowship, or your fullness of joy in prayer.

Journal time. Read the Beatutudes from Matthew 5:3-12, remembering that “blessed” means “happy.” Journal how the Lord has brought you joy in any of these ways.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Pray with me today. Heavenly Father, sometimes we have sorrow, like the disciples did when Jesus died, but they saw him again. Their sorrow was turned to joy and now we share in that joy. Help us to hold fast to that joy knowing that someday we’ll see you face to face. Lord, be the light in our darkness, be our hope when hopeless, be the strength in our weakness, and turn our sadness to joy. In the near and joyful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.