The Lord Jesus wants His people to be happy. That is why He has told us so many wonderful things in the Bible. The promises contained in it will certainly be kept, and they are for all eternity! Joy is the fruit of the Spirit that all believers have (Galatians 5:2222But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22)). However, there are many little things that, like the little foxes mentioned in Song of {s 22221}Solomon 2:1515Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. (Song of Solomon 2:15), can rob us of our joy in the Lord. What should be true of all those who have entered the kingdom of God is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:1717For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)). A Christian who is always sad cannot be thinking much about the happy future God has prepared for them that love Him.
The world has many pleasures to make people happy, but they are all temporary and often end in disappointment. If the Lord passes Christians through times of sorrow, they have the joy of knowing that His presence is with them (Psalm 23:44Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)). Also, they know that the Lord Jesus will share His glory with all those who have suffered for Him.
Wasn’t it wonderful that Jesus was born into this world? Little wonder the angels were so happy! But when the Lord accomplished our redemption by dying on the cross and then rose from the grave and went back to heaven, that was much more wonderful. Soon He will come again and take all those who love Him home to be with Himself, and then their joy will be full (Psalm 16:1111Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)). God’s desire for us is that we may be filled “with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:1313Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)).
1. What kind of tidings did an angel of the Lord bring to the shepherds one night? Luke 2:___
2. When the Lord’s glory is revealed, what will be the portion of those who are now partakers of Christ’s sufferings? 1 Peter 4:___
3. After the wise men left Herod and saw the star again, what was their reaction? Matthew 2:___
4. Why has the Lord spoken these things to us? John 15:___
5. Although we have never seen the Lord, believing in Him, what do we have in our hearts? 1 Peter 1:___