Exceeding Joy

The announcement of Christ’s first appearing brought a joy we still celebrate… “And the angel said, ‘Fear not, Zacharias: for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you shall have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord… and shall go before HIM…”

HIM. The long-awaited Messiah, the Savior of the world, was on His way. Six months later, when Mary went to visit Elizabeth, Elizabeth proclaimed… “As soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy!” (Luke 1:44).  

Joy and gladness are the exclusive fruits of knowing Christ. His reign begins in our hearts and will one day fill the earth. Sixty-four times, in the New Testament, these words are used of faith in Christ… Joy to those who find Him as the greatest Treasure of life; joy in His Word of Truth; joy in answered prayer; joy to those persecuted for His sake; joy when the lost are found; joy when people walk in truth; and even greater joy awaiting for faithful service.

Just as we love to rehearse the Christmas story, celebrating the “exceeding great joy” of His first appearing, there will be a day in Heaven, where we stand before His throne with “exceeding joy” and say to each other, “Where were you when the Trumpet sounded?”

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)