Ephesians 2:8 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” It is the Lord Jesus Christ that has opened the door of “access…into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” Romans 5:2. Rejoicing is a celebration of joy and delight; I think an overflowing of joy! In Isaiah 25:9 in the midst of lifting up a thanksgiving and praise to God for His salvation, the prophet says, “We have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Our rejoicing is in Him and His salvation of which He has made us partakers by faith in Himself! Thomas was doubtful about the risen Christ, but when Jesus appeared Thomas was awestruck, and Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” In 1 Peter 1:8-9 the Apostle says, “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls.” Philippians 4:4 points us again to this “trademark” of the Christian faith saying, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice”, the repetition calling attention to its importance. What is the source of this joy? Not our possessions; not our achievements; not our life status; not in fortune or fame; not in the perishing things in the world around us; but our joy and rejoicing is in “Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” Revelation 1:5, and who speaking as wisdom personified in Proverbs 8:19 says, “My fruit is better than gold, yes than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.” Cultivate and allow this fruit to be borne on your branch!
Joy unspeakable
By Rose Hill
There is a joy I can’t explain,
It is something you will want to gain.
It is beyond anything you have known,
It will make you lay down your phone!
And just sit in the Lord’s presence divine,
Then visit that place many a time.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.