What has happened to all your joy? Gal. 4:15 (NIV)
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. Ps. 85:6-7 (NIV)
Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, on this February Sunday, we are grateful for your pursuing heart. May we take our joy as seriously as you do. In response to Paul’s question to the Galatians, “What has happened to all your joy?” (Gal. 4:15), there’s a wide range of possible answers.
Some of us suffer from chronic Gospel-amnesia—forgetting who we are in you, by you, for you. Some of us keep fertilizing roots of bitterness in our hearts with Miracle Grow—poisoning our joy with resentment, anger, and unforgiveness.
Some of us listen to our fears and worries, more so than the Spirit’s voice declaring we are children of Abba’s delight. Others are exhausted from the price of loving well, or the drains of doing ministry.
Some are paralyzed by the condemning accusations of the devil—the consummate faith-thief and joy-robber. Others have been way more preoccupied with the chaos in our world, than the consolation of your enthronement.
For each of these scenarios, the resolution is the same. We need a fresh heart-connection with you, Lord Jesus. In you we have full forgiveness and perfect righteousness, a sovereign King and a most loving Bridegroom. Jesus, renew, refresh, and re-joy our hearts. Stun us again with the wonders of your love and the sufficiency of your grace.
Since you are praying for the fullness of your joy to be in us (John 17:13), we will live with anticipation and hope. Fill us afresh with the inexpressible and glorious joy of the salvation you have won for us (1 Pet. 1:8-9). So very Amen we pray, in your kind and triumphant name.
