Rediscovering JoySample

John 16:24: “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” – John 16:24

Years ago, there was a drought in California. Seeking God’s help, a group of Christians came together to pray for rain. When a little girl walked up to the group with an umbrella, an older pastor asked her, “Little girl, why do you have that umbrella when we’ve had no rain for so long?” With a questioning look, she simply replied, “Didn’t we come here asking God to bring rain? I am ready for Him to answer yes.”

How often do we ask God for something but don’t really believe that He will give us a yes? Even Jesus said to His disciples, “You of little faith” (Matt. 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8)! Our doubts are quite common! But that doesn’t mean that we can’t ask for more faith and more of God’s great gifts. In fact, He invites us to as we see above in John 16:24. 

God wants to give us joy, so let’s ask for it, and then take it! When we have accepted His great love for us, He fills us with His Holy Spirit so that even when we don’t “see” Him, we still know He is with us. First Peter 1:8 says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy . . .”

As we read the Word of God and believe the God-breathed words found therein, we are changed. Our very image becomes more and more like Jesus, whose joy and delight with us and with God’s purposes had no end. God is whispering to you, “Take it! Take my gift of joy! Unwrap it!” 

Today, reflect on the following passages and then commit to asking God for His joy to fill you in every situation and in every moment beginning with this very one. “Today if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:15). 

• “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (Isa. 12:6) 
• “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) 
• “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Num. 6:24-26) 
• “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3) 
• “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thess. 5:16-18)