Heaven’s Joy in You

Daily Devotional: Day 102

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11, KJV).

Joy is good for you. Everyone needs a good dose of it to have a meaningful life. Joy in turn produces cheerfulness. A constant flow of joy in your soul can keep depression and despair at bay. The good news is, Jesus has made sure you will always have joy. But we first must qualify the joy we are talking about. Today’s Scripture reading is taken from Jesus’ Last Supper discourse. In the middle of His discourse, He said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Let’s take a moment and unpack what Jesus is saying. We shall focus on just two important things.

First, Jesus is saying that He will give us His joy. This is an important detail. Jesus isn’t referring to some generic or vague form of joy. Nor is He referring to the transient and fleeting pleasure which, on occasion, we can derive from various forms of entertainment. Rather, the joy He is giving is peculiar; it is the joy that is inside Jesus.  No one can possess this joy unless it be given him from heaven. Jesus is divine; therefore, the joy He gives us is divine; it is supernatural joy. In short, it is the joy that can be found in the very heart of God. God’s joy never dries up. Don’t miss this point.

Second, Jesus says that upon receiving His joy, our joy will be full. This again is a significant detail. Jesus is basically describing the essential characteristics of divine joy. Jesus is not giving us partial joy. Instead, He is offering us the fullest expression of joy. In the heart of Jesus, there is no room for partial joy. Thus, the joy He gives us will leave no vacuum unfilled.

Now you might be wondering: “So, how do I get this joy? I can’t feel it.” Simple. Look at the first part of today’s Scripture. Jesus begins by saying, “These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you. . .” (emphasis mine). Jesus’ joy enters our hearts and remains via the words He speaks to us. This means the key to your joy is to immerse yourself in the words of Jesus, i.e. the Scriptures (Old and New Testaments), because all of Scripture points to Jesus. As you do so, it is important to treasure His words and practice the things He tells you. This is how you connect with the joy of the Lord. May your life be filled with the fulness of Jesus’ joy. Amen.

Prayer:

Holy Father, thank you for revealing your joy to me. I thank you that you have saved me and given me an inheritance with the saints. Fill me afresh with the joy of Jesus because your joy is my strength. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

For further study: John 15:1-13