God’s word for His people is not, “no,” but, “yes!” His desire is not to express judgment, but joy.
Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)
God’s rejoicing does not stop with emotion, but extends to action. He delights to establish us in the place of blessing. All of His heart and soul—all His desire is directed toward us. That is the Father’s heart for His children!
Jesus has joy in us and shares His joy with us.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11).”
“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13)
Not only does the Father have joy and extends that joy to us, but so does the Son. Jesus speaks of His joy. He certainly was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief—but He was likewise a man of smiles and acquainted with gladness! It is that same joy which Jesus wants to abide in us—a heavenly happiness which elevates our human happiness!
We cannot win the world to Christ if we are not winsome, and that is predicated on being a smiling saint and not a sourpuss! Joy is evidence of regeneration by the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal.5:22-23a, emphasis added)
The Triune God is full of gladness as we see the Holy Spirit is the root of joy in the believer. After love, isn’t it interesting to find that joy is the next virtue listed in this cluster of spiritual fruit? Perhaps we have not placed as high a value on it as we ought!
Ultimately, heaven will be a place of boundless joy in the Lord. “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matt.25:23). As the old Gospel song, “Heaven’s Jubilee”, expresses it:
Some glad morning we shall see, Jesus in the air
Coming after you and me, joy is ours to share
What rejoicing there will be, when the saints shall rise
Headed for that jubilee, yonder in the skies
Oh what singing, oh what shouting
On that happy morning when we all shall rise
Oh what glory, Hallelujah
When we meet our blessed Savior in the skies
Seems that now I almost see, all the sainted dead
Rising for that jubilee, that is just ahead
In the twinkling of an eye, changed with them to be
All the living saints to fly, to that jubilee.
Oh what singing, oh what shouting
On that happy morning when we all shall rise
Oh what glory, Hallelujah
When we meet our blessed Savior in the skies
When with all that heavenly host, we begin to sing
Singing in the Holy Ghost, how the heavens will ring
Millions there will join the song, with them we shall be
Praising Christ through ages long, heaven's jubilee.
Oh what singing, oh what shouting
On that happy morning when we all shall rise
Oh what glory, Hallelujah
When we meet our blessed Savior in the skies
(Songwriters: A.M. Pace / G.T. Speer)
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