I just returned from a gathering called Joyfest, but I’m going to call it Joy Feast because that was truly what it was! Hundreds of people from all over our country and from several others, came together for worship and celebration of abundant life and love through Jesus.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelations 7:9-12, ESV)
And that pretty much describes our weekend. This revelation of Jesus is now, not one day when we die. I don’t know about you, but that’s good news! Jesus came to reveal who we are as sons of God, not to make us “good people.” We don’t have to wait to die and go to heaven to be with Jesus, he is being revealed in us every day! We are a brand new creation in Christ, carrying his DNA. 2 Corinthians says it like this:
Now if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. (5:17, TPT)
As we enter into the joy of coming back into the position and place of being fully loved and accepted, nothing we have encountered in this life will have the power to speak a different word. As we look into the loving eyes of Jesus, we see who we have become as his body. David had this encounter as he entered into Yahweh, he was able to see through the eyes of Jesus. Psalm 16 that David wrote, called The Golden Secret, a precious song, engraved in gold, reveals some beautiful mysteries. The Passion Translation commentary shares that the Hebrew word used in the inscription is michtam and the most accepted translation is “engraved in gold” and speaks of the divine nature engraved into our hearts by the Word. A new humanity is now stamped with God-life, engraved in his golden glory. I am really resonating with the words of David, “My heart and soul explode with joy- full of glory!” (vs.9)
For you will not abandon me to the realm of death, nor will you allow your Faithful One to experience corruption. Because of you, I know the path of life, as I taste the fullness of joy in your presence. At your right side I experience divine pleasures forevermore!
Steps in Pursuit
- Sit in the presence of Jesus this week and just drink of his love and joy. Let it fill you up with life overflowing, spilling over onto those around you. Isn’t that much better than focusing on the negative stuff that can steal our joy?
- Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is your strength. As you go throughout your week, allow this to be a prayer that you speak over yourself.
- Share joy with those around you. Find some tangible ways to share in a joy feast of your own. Play worship music and dance with your kids. Share a joyful smile and a kind word with someone helping you this week.
The Kingdom is full of joy and as we let it flow with life like rivers out of us, we are going to see that spring up all around us!
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
