Day 13
We want to switch from the 72 disciples to the next two verses that tell us about Christ’s joy.
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit... (NIV)
Jesus was full of joy! What was it that made Jesus joyful? Where is Jesus getting His joy from? Now notice what Jesus does once He’s filled with joy through the Holy Spirit. He begins to pray. In fact, it’s not just a prayer... it’s a praise. The first few words: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth...”
Where does that joy come from? It is OF THE LORD! This kind of joy is not OF the world. The world did not and cannot give us that kind of joy... God did and God can. Since the world did not give it to us – the world cannot take it away!
The joy of this world will fail us. If our joy is focused on what we can do... then we can lose that. If our joy is in possessions and when we lose our possessions – we lose our joy. If our joy is in our health when we lose it – we lose our joy.
Jesus says, “Didn’t I tell you? There is nothing you have on this earth that you’ll ever keep.” But the Kingdom of God can turn your sorrows, struggles, stress, and sadness into Joy.
22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no-one will take away your joy. (John 16:22)
We rejoice in the Lord and not life’s happenings because Jesus is unchangeable and constant.
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will." - Luke 10:21 (English Standard Version)
"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." - John 16:20-22 (English Standard Version)
"Dear Father, I know that joy based on worldly possessions will never last. Joy in the Lord is everlasting and eternal. Holy Spirit, help me seek joy in the Lord every day. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!"
Day 234 Bible Reading: Job 4-7, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25, Psalm 37:30-40 and Proverbs 21:27 
