«I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!» (John 15:11, NLT).
Could you do something for me? When you finish reading this sentence, when you get to the period, close your eyes for a moment and imagine God smiling.
How easy or hard was it for you to do that? In his letter to Timothy, Paul encourages him to preach «the glorious gospel of the blessed God» (1 Timothy 1:11). We are so familiar with these words that we overlook them, as if we were on autopilot. However, the Greek word Paul uses here is makariou that not only means «blessed,» but also «happy.» Paul was telling Timothy to preach «the glorious good news of the happy God.»
God is holy, yes, but He is also happy. God is much happier than we could imagine! He doesn’t act like a frowning librarian who shushes us when we make the slightest sound. God is not a severe father who’s impossible to please. God is happy! In fact, if He weren’t happy, the gospel would not be good news. Who wants to spend eternity with an unhappy, bitter God? No one! We would try to avoid being at His side just like avoid people who are always complaining. We would cross to the other sidewalk and we would choose not to return His calls.
In the parable of the talents, the faithful servants were given the following invitation: «Enter into the joy of your lord» (Matthew 25:23). Other translations say: «Let’s celebrate together!» (NLT) and «Come and share my joy» (NLV). Through this parable, God invites us to share in His happiness for all eternity.
After encouraging His disciples to remain in Him and to abide in His love, like branches that are connected to a vine, Jesus told them: «l have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!» (John 15:11, NLT). Though this did not imply that they would have problem-free lives, Jesus told them that if they remained connected to Him, they would feel the same true and complete happiness He felt. So there is no doubt: our God is a happy God; and He wants you to be a happy daughter of God.
Dear Lord, I admit that I sometimes thought of You as someone who is testy and severe, and it was hard for me to imagine You smiling.
But the Bible teaches us that You want to share
Your happiness with me for eternity. What a privilege! Thank You because all happiness flows from You.
#WomensDevotional
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Perez & Angelica Cuate
