Better and Better Forever!

A friend of mine suggested that Christians should be the most joyful people on earth.  He is right, of course.  Jesus pictured His life in us (John 15) like a vine and its fruitful branches pointing out "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." 

My joy and pleasure as a young student pilot just learning to fly was to watch planes take off and land graciously.  One day in a dream I was laying by the runway of a busy airport and these huge planes were lifting off and coming in right next to me.  In my heart and mind, this was close to the greatest feeling in the whole world.  Then a small voice that I recognized spoke, "You know what is so great about your life in the Lord, it is going to get better and better forever!"

Knowing Jesus and His eternal love and peace is "my exceeding joy" (Psalm 43:4).   Nothing compares to being right with God.  Even though we may not always physically "see or feel" it, Peter describes our faith as "joy unspeakable and full of glory" leading to salvation. (1 Peter 1:8).  There is no greater joy than knowing the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus Christ.  David, after sinning with Bathsheba and then repenting, calls on God to "restore to him the joy of Your salvation."  

Jesus told us in the master and steward parable of Matthew 25 that the reward for being faithful in little was to be given much and to "enter into the joy of your Lord."  Doing the will of God or being faithful is key to be like David who stated his secret for a victorious life, "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."  Psalm 16 continues by giving this truth, in Your presence is fullness of joy.  

Nehemiah 6:8 further reveals that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Jesus was able to endure the unimaginable suffering of being rejected, beaten, mocked, and crucified on the cross because of, as Hebrews 12:2 states, the joy that was set before Him.  That joy was seeing you receive forgiveness and be with Him forever.  We are called to walk in the joy of the Lord.  Abiding in Him and having the fruit of the Spirit, including joy and peace, we are able to likewise always be led in triumph through all adversities.

 It follows then, that Satan who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, wants to steal our joy.  If the enemy can get us to focus on our problems and become complainers instead of grateful servants, we become like the Israelites in the wilderness.  We become weak rather than strong overcomers.  In the Matthew 24 comments about the challenges of the end times, Jesus warns that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  Please give your problems to the Lord with thanksgiving, as Philippians 4:6 instructs, and let Him keep your mind and heart with peace.

Watch and be wise!  Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.  You know the enemy's plans.  He wants to steal your joy so he can get you when you are weak in your own strength. However, you overcome by standing on God's faithful promises even in times of trial.  Romans 5 encourages us to even be joyful in our tribulations, which produces perseverance, character, and hope because of the love of God that the Spirit has poured into our hearts.  Likewise, Romans 8 points out that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  The Lord delights in the welfare of His servants and has made provision for us to overcome in His overcoming victory.  Be strong in the Lord.

What a glorious life.  We overcome by faith (1 John 1:5) in this life on earth and will enjoy His glorious presence and fullness of joy forever and ever in the next age.  What more could God do to give us abundant life?  It is great now by faith in His Word, and will get better and better forever because, as Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, how great God is and how excellent His power is toward us. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.