You can have joy
Jesus came to earth to bring joy, as the angels announced (Luke 2:8-10). Following his resurrection, he greeted his disciples with “Rejoice!” (Matthew 28:9).
Christ’s followers have joy because they have been released from their past sins, like the Ethiopian who learned of the Savior by asking questions about the suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 (Acts 8:26-39).
The Philippine jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” He was told, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then, they spoke the word of the Lord to him so that faith could be produced (Romans 10:17). The same hour of the night, he washed their stripes, which is clear evidence of repentance. Immediately afterward, he and all the members of his household were baptized. Then, and only then, “he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household” (Acts 16:25-34).
Jesus ties loving obedience to joyfulness. The Lord said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:10-11). Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Paul wrote to the saints in Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord.” He went on to say, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 3:1; 4:4).
Oddly, sorrow can prepare one to experience a greater joy. As Jesus helped the disciples get ready for His impending death, He explained this wonderful fact of life.
Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that the human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you (John 16:20-24).
The disciples experienced a greater joy at being in the presence of the Lord after they suffered through losing Him in the death on the cross.
Those wearing the name of Christ may endure suffering for him. This can actually lead to experiencing even greater joy through the patience, character and hope coming out of enduring such trials (Romans 5:1-5). Those who love the Lord and accept his call through the gospel can know everything will work out for good in the end. The apostle to the Gentiles declared, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Don’t let the world or bad situations rob you of joy. Get rid of the burdens of the past by yielding to Christ’s will in penitent baptism. Then, faithfully follow Christ’s will for your life as one of his followers. Remember bad times can lead to greater joy if we patiently endure and trust God to bring about our ultimate good.
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