Day 11 - 40 Days of JOY
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of JOY
Day 11 | JOY FROM SORROW
40 Days of JOY
Day 11 | JOY FROM SORROW
JOY FROM SORROW
John 16:20
“Truly, I say to you, ‘You shall weep and be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.’”
The context of this talk was that Jesus was preparing His followers for the crucifixion and hinting (again) at his subsequent resurrection. God never promised that we – His children – will experience no pain. Jesus says: “In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
The illustration that Jesus gives in John 16 while talking to His followers is that of a woman giving birth. The pain during childbirth is unbelievable, but the JOY immediately after, far surpasses that pain!
Then Jesus goes on to say, “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (vs. 24)
Where are you today? Have circumstances caused you to be sorrowful? Are you wanting to pray about it, but feel too upset or too foolish to actually to ask God for relief?
John chapter 16:23-24 makes it clear that we SHOULD ASK the Father.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Remind yourself of this: God, our heavenly Father – like all good parents – WANTS His children to be FULL of joy! So, asking Him for that in prayer is good! He wants you and me to be joy-filled. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everything that happens to us today or tomorrow or next week will be enjoyable. Still, to paraphrase an old song, “The SON will come out tomorrow,” and ultimately, since Jesus has overcome the world, your and my joy will be new and fresh and full.
Prayer: LORD, thank you for this chapter in the Bible. Thank You that I can ask for Your Joy to be in me and for my joy to be FULL – as Jesus promised His followers. Thank you. Amen.
John 16:20
“Truly, I say to you, ‘You shall weep and be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.’”
The context of this talk was that Jesus was preparing His followers for the crucifixion and hinting (again) at his subsequent resurrection. God never promised that we – His children – will experience no pain. Jesus says: “In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
The illustration that Jesus gives in John 16 while talking to His followers is that of a woman giving birth. The pain during childbirth is unbelievable, but the JOY immediately after, far surpasses that pain!
Then Jesus goes on to say, “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (vs. 24)
Where are you today? Have circumstances caused you to be sorrowful? Are you wanting to pray about it, but feel too upset or too foolish to actually to ask God for relief?
John chapter 16:23-24 makes it clear that we SHOULD ASK the Father.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Remind yourself of this: God, our heavenly Father – like all good parents – WANTS His children to be FULL of joy! So, asking Him for that in prayer is good! He wants you and me to be joy-filled. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everything that happens to us today or tomorrow or next week will be enjoyable. Still, to paraphrase an old song, “The SON will come out tomorrow,” and ultimately, since Jesus has overcome the world, your and my joy will be new and fresh and full.
Prayer: LORD, thank you for this chapter in the Bible. Thank You that I can ask for Your Joy to be in me and for my joy to be FULL – as Jesus promised His followers. Thank you. Amen.