+DEV+ By Grace: Everlasting Joy [24 of 27]

Date: April 10, 2013 3:04 AM
Topic: +DEV+  By Grace: Everlasting Joy [24 of 27]

By Grace: Everlasting Joy [24 of 27]

"The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 51:11)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 51:9-16; Hebrews 12:18-24

Do you recall the old poem, "Casey at the Bat”? Remember that the Mudville team was behind when the mighty Casey stepped to the plate in the ninth inning, runners on second and third. The crowd cheered! But then the terrible final stanza: "Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; the band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, and somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville, mighty Casey has struck out."

That's the way "joy" is in this sinful world — fleeting and often based on heroes who aren't as mighty as we'd like to think. But ours is a forever joy; it comes by the sovereign, loving grace of Almighty God. We have not come to applaud a hero who strikes out. "But [we] have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. [We] have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven" (Hebrews 12:22-23a).

Insight: For the Christian, joy isn't based on circumstances, but upon the Sovereign LORD's promise that our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).




Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.