REAL JOY
Opening Prayer
Thank you, God, for giving me this day. Help me to spend it wisely knowing that you have purpose in it for me. It is my heart’s desire to please you in all I do.
Read LUKE 10:17-24
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Recall a time when God used you to bring blessing into some- one’s life. Reflect on the privilege it is to be involved in what Jesus is still doing on earth—giving Satan a really hard time!On today’s leg of the journey, there are two surprising and challenging insights from Jesus about what it means to follow him. First, even though he warned his 72 disciples of the possible hardships and setbacks ahead of them (vs 3,10,16), they’re coming back overwhelmingly successful in their mission (v 17). They return with joy. But how lasting is the source of their joy?
‘Rejoicing in the Lord means knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, and Treasure. It means he gives us deeper, purer, sweeter, more lasting pleasure and gladness than anything this world has to offer’ (Brian Tabb in ‘Rejoice Even Though’*)—even all the wonderful things he does through us. Is this true for me?
Secondly, what the 72 have just learned fills Jesus with joy (v 21). As ‘ordinary’ as they are, they’ve grasped and experienced the mystery of knowing God through Jesus. No one before them has had this privilege (v 24). Though not exactly in the same way as those first followers, I should be amazed every day that I too—ordinary me— have come to know and experience him. How can I prompt myself about this?
Apply
Play, or even sing: ‘Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is in you, the hope of glory in our hearts.’**
Closing prayer
Glorious King, all praise belongs to you! When I consider all that you have done and trust in what you have promised, I am over- whelmed with gratitude. Help me to use your countless blessings in my life to bless others.
*https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/rejoice-even-though
**‘Rejoice!’, Graham Kendrick, © 1983 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music.
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