Today’s Scripture: Luke 2:10
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
A Brahman of distinction in Western India embraced the Gospel and was baptized. By this act, he lost possession of his houses, his fields, his wells, his wife, and his children. Such was the inexorable law of the caste system. On being asked how he bore his sorrows, he replied, “Ay, I am often asked that, but I am never asked how I bear my joys, for I have joys within with which a stranger intermeddles not. The Lord Jesus sought me and found me, a poor strayed sheep in the jungles, and He brought me to His fold and He will never leave me.’’
Nothing compares to the joy of salvation. Jesus likens it to a man who found a treasure in a field and for joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field (Matthew 13:44). Think about it. Death is unarguably the greatest sorrow of mankind, and death is a consequence of man’s sin in the garden. If sin and death brought sorrow and pain, what great a joy should redemption bring? The debt of our sins has been paid in full, and death has lost its sting. Jesus has come to give us life and life abundantly. Nothing else calls for greater rejoicing. We can afford to lose everything else, but never the joy of our salvation.
The Psalmist knew the great importance of this joy, and what it meant to lose it. He lost it through sin, and sought it through repentance, exclaiming, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Sin will rob us of the blessed joy of salvation. It will place a wedge between us and the Holy Spirit, who is the fountain of that joy. So, appropriating the grace of God, let us eschew sin, and if perhaps we have fallen short of God’s grace, we can come boldly to the throne of grace, and obtain mercy.
Salvation brings in its wake the oil of joy for mourning. Are you overwhelmed by the circumstances of life and see no reason for joy? Do not believe the lie of the devil. Christ has redeemed you from the curse of the Law. You are an heir of the blessing. There is cause to rejoice. But remember, we need joy to reap the blessings of salvation. The Bible says “with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). You are the redeemed of the Lord, so rejoice!
Memorize & Meditate:
“Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3
Prayer/Confession:
Lord, I thank You for the gift of salvation. I rejoice in it. I am a partaker of the blessings in Christ. My sins have been paid for by His blood. I have life and life abundantly and I rejoice, in Jesus’ name.
