Jan 01, 2021 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

God promises two things to you in this New Year. Firstly, He gives His joy to you. Secondly, He promises your joy to be full. If joy of God and that of yours increase together, stand firm and stay perfect, how blessed it would be!

Jesus Christ is saying ‘My joy.’ What is His joy? Firstly, it was in doing the will of the Father. That is why, at the age of twelve, He asked His mother Mary, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

Calling “Father, Father” continuously was His breath. Fulfilling the will of the Father was His food. “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit” was the seventh and last word of God. Dear children of God, you will stand firm in the joy of Christ when you also do everything according to the will of the Father.

Secondly, glorifying the Father was always the joy of Christ. Jesus Christ said, “I have glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work which you have given me to do” (John 17:4). Always glorifying, honouring and praising God always will bring great happiness in your life. Your joy will be great if you laud and, exalt God in all situations.

Thirdly, what was the joy of Christ? He rejoiced in all the revelations of the Father. The Scripture says, “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes” (Luke 10:21). Whenever God does small good things to you, and when He reveals the hidden facts of the Scripture, you have to rejoice in God.

Fourthly, the joy of Christ was in His generous giving to others. He gave healing to the sick, deliverance to the bound and comfort to those who live in tears. Dear children of God, if you help others by giving generously, you will be receiving back in multiples, and you will become happy too.

To meditate: “…but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).