The Joy
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Good morning, Lord
Verse of the Day: Exodus 33:13
13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.
Memory verse: Psalm 90:14
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Today's reading: JOB 17-19 ACTS 10:1-23
All For What?
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross." (Hebrews 12:2)
The joy set before Him? What joy was ahead of Jesus-after going through all the pain of torture and the pain of execution on the cross?
What joy was ahead for Jesus after he carried the weight of all the sin of all the chosen past and present-all sin of all time was on Him-what joy was He looking forward to?
Have you ever thought about this?
Jesus was going home to His Father. After leaving 'paradise'(Luke 23:43), Jesus came here as a child and grew up in what we would consider poverty. He knew hard work. He knew human nature. He knew He had to be about His Father's work and knew that He would die at the hands of hate.
He was going home to heaven-to His Father.
But He was also going home to welcome all those who were chosen by His Father and paid for by His own sacrifice. He was going Home where He could watch His bride grow.
The joy set before Christ is the joy set before us. In Christ, we will be going home. That greatest of joys is ours in Him. What will it take for us to learn this joy?
Sin's deceitfulness has hidden our joy.
Hebrews 3:13 ►But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
God is love and He is also joy and peace and patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. The Holy Spirit is our storehouse of all these in our hearts.
God is our joy. Seek Him just because He is God and all will be made plain and glorious to you.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Great God of all we need, teach me to obey in joy, to depend on You in joyous living and live with joy as I learn to forgive and keep me from sin's deceitfulness.
Loving Father,
In the name of Christ Jesus,
Amen
