July 2J oy Comes

Luke 1:57-58 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
 
JOY is a little word with big meaning. Joy is anticipating a trip to see our grandchildren, and joy is hugging them, listening to them read and playing a game with them. Joy is in our hearts because we love them very, very much.
     But there is another aspect of joy we have toward our grandchildren. That joy is expressed toward God in a feeling of thankfulness God has given to us such treasures. Even though it’s sad when we leave them and go home – even a short distance today - the joy remains because of our deep love for them and for God, who in his great kindness, has given them to us.
     As Elizabeth gave birth to a son of whom she had lost hope of having, she and her friends expressed great joy. They were in awe and delight of God’s gift of this baby boy. This was a miracle! Their joy was an expression of a grateful heart for the son and great love toward God in his tender mercy.
     True joy comes to our lives when we understand the Great Miracle God has given us in the gift of his Son. Jesus brings release from pain and sorrow forever. He frees us from sin’s joy-robbing destruction into Heaven’s unstoppable joy for all eternity. Oh, how our God shows his tender mercy to offer his joy to us!
     When we understand this in our hearts, life’s trials seem smaller. Irritations diminish, aggravations go away, patience grows, and love prospers. An eternal smile grows on our hearts as we settle our minds into the joy of God’s great gift of salvation through Jesus. As you think of how God is merciful to you, I pray you feel this joy in your heart each day as you declare and believe, “I am saved in Jesus’ blood.”
 
Prayer: O what joy I feel, Father. I lift up my heart, my hands, my mind to say, “Thank you!” Amen.