THE VERSE
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
~John 15:11
THE THOUGHT
How precious are the words of Jesus! Not just the words in red, but everything “breathed out by God and profitable,” the entire written word of God handed down to us, so that the joy of our Savior may be in us, and that our joy may be full.
Think about that. The joy of Jesus– the infinite, overflowing gladness of the “blessed God”– inhabiting and overflowing us by the power of the Spirit. And fullness of joy–the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore that are at His right hand made available to us through His word. To meditate on the Word of God with a heart of faith, then, is to be ushered by the Holy Spirit into the very presence of God, to partake of the full, abundant life that Jesus gives. No wonder the Psalmist declared that, “In the way of Your testimonies I delight as in all riches.” The precious treasure of the Word of God is a fountain of divine joy for all who come thirsty to its pages.
THE PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for Your Word, and thank you for joy. Thank you for speaking Your words of life to me, for giving me Your own Holy Spirit, and for using Scripture to grow the Spirit’s fruit of joy in me. Open my eyes to see the wonderful things in Your Word, so that I may know You and know Your joy.
EXTENDED READING
Psalm 16:7-11
Psalm 119:14-18
2 Timothy 3:14-17
THE QUOTE
“The exhortation and the use of God’s Word are needed everywhere. It is a living and powerful Word.” ~Martin Luther
This post is written by Brendan Beale, author of Cross Connections