God's Joy

God's Joy

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1st Peter 1:6-7

This is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible on joy. It describes what I could call "Supernatural Joy." When you read it, notice the changes that one who knows Jesus, will have as they go from a time of trial to the rewards of having an eternal life with Jesus. Even in trial and adversity we are to be joyful. Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad when you are persecuted", which is the same as to be joyful. We are to be joyful, because we are to trust in God and rely on Him, no matter how hot the fiery trials we are in, actually are. While in prison, the apostle Paul could have become critical and bitter about his circumstances. Rather, he knew that God was in control, and chose instead to express the joy of the Lord when he wrote the book of Philippians. In chapter two Paul takes great joy in the spiritual growth and blessing in the church at Philippi. Instead of focusing on his bad situation and circumstances, he rejoiced over all the things the Lord was doing in His people. This is what "Supernatural Joy" is all about, being able to trust and have faith in God, even during your darkest hours. If you are dealing with trials in your life today, let God provide you with some of His "Supernatural Joy", to get you through your struggles, and be victorious with God by your side.
My Daily Devotional Volume V
December 17
Robert William Brock, Jr.