Living With Inexpressible and Glorious Joy!
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. …” 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
Would you describe your life as filled with an inexpressible joy? It can be! I’m not talking about a shallow sense of happiness or a fake-it-till-you-make-it disposition, but actual deep-down joy! There’s a sense of giddiness that comes from the joy of releasing all that you are, and everything that you have, into the hands of the One who loves you most. Also, there’s an unshakeable confidence that He can handle any situation that should ever arise under any circumstance!
This is the kind of inexpressible and glorious joy that Peter said was characteristic of Christ followers to whom he wrote his letter. What makes this description even more remarkable is that he wrote to Christ followers who, unlike himself, had never seen Jesus for themselves. They had never witnessed any of His miracles firsthand or, even, heard a word He taught. They had only experienced Christ, by faith, from what they had heard and were taught about Him - much like us today! Still, Peter says they loved Him and believed in Him. As a result, their lives were transformed and filled with inexpressible and glorious joy!
Furthermore, their joy didn’t depend on their circumstances. While happiness often depends on what happens, the joy that Jesus brings by the Holy Spirit into our hearts transcends whatever happens here and now. That’s why this joy is so inexpressible and glorious!
It’s easy to be happy when good things happen. That’s only natural. But the Christ followers to whom Peter wrote were experiencing tremendous trials. Due to the most severe persecution and terror, they were scattered throughout various regions of the Roman world as homeless refugees. How in the world could these believers be filled with such joy? It was supernatural! Their joy was in the One they loved and who loved them beyond life itself! They knew that this world was not their home. They lived for another world!
Which world are you living for today? Jesus offers you His joy no matter what you are going through today. Throw all your concern on Him. Cast all your care on Him because He cares for you. Experience His inexpressible and glorious joy!