There is one thing that should mark our lives. There is one thing that you and I should always have. That one thing is joy.
You see, joy is rare in this world. Not many people have it. Even when they do, it’s temporary. They have it for a while when they get something they want. But then it goes away. That, of course, is not true joy.
True joy is everlasting. It doesn’t go away. It stands the test of time.
But how can we have this kind of joy?
Well, the kind of joy you have depends on the reason why you have it. The right reason will give you the right kind of joy. Let’s look at the Scripture.
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!”
And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
(Luke 10:17-20)
Here the disciples returned with joy. They were joyful because “the demons are subject to us in Your name.” But Jesus corrected them by giving them the right reason for joy. The right reason for joy is “your names are written in heaven.”
As it turns out, the right reason for joy is having eternal life in Jesus Christ. He has died for you on the cross so that you can have eternal life. That is the greatest blessing in our lives.
If you want to have true joy, first make sure that you have eternal life by accepting Christ. Then always remember the fact. Always remember that His grace has given you eternal life. If you do, you will have true joy, a joy that’s everlasting.