Joy Overflowing

Scripture

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Observation

Jesus is preparing His disciples for His death, resurrection, outpouring of The Holy Spirit, and the persecution to come. That’s a lot to take in all at once. Cheer is not the emotion they are feeling in that moment. I can picture their faces looking completely overwhelmed.  Jesus, the Shepherd of our souls, sees this and emphasizes the joy He will give them can’t be taken from them and that they will not be left alone. “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”(vs. 24)  I like how The Message puts it, “Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!” It would have been hard to picture any kind of joy in the dark scenario that Jesus had just described, but what Jesus has promised has come to pass!

Application

I’m still reveling in that joy Jesus was talking about. Tuesday night 13 people of different ages made a public confession of faith through water baptism at Moonlight Beach!  Before they went in the water each of them shared about when they gave their lives to Christ and why it was important to get baptized. One brother from the Victory Outreach Men’s home shared how he had given His life to Christ while in jail. His spirit knew the joy and freedom of Christ before his body did. When he came up out of the water there was the biggest smile on his face. When I told him the Devil no longer had hold over his soul he walked out of the water a lot taller. A 10 year old young man joined Kirk and I out in the waves with his Dad. I could see he was a little scared at the size of the waves as he didn’t know how to swim. We assured him we would not let him go. This is what Jesus was speaking to His disciples too. Yes, the waves that are coming are big, but don’t hold back because I’m holding you and won’t let you go. One teen young man came from a home where his parents don’t know the Lord, but support his choice to give his life to Christ. It was kind of overcast, but the moment he came out the sun  peaked out from behind the clouds and we could feel the warmth of the rays while standing in the cold water. I told him, God’s doing that just for you and a big smile came to his face. He turned around and our youth pastor Camille baptized him. He came out of that water with fullness of joy. Two couples who are about to get married got baptized together making it clear that the source of their joy in marriage has to be Jesus! The joy of surrender was all over that place as a hundred Father’s House family members cheered on their brothers and sisters at the top of their lungs. People from all over the beach stopped to see what all the commotion was about.  What was it about? Jesus overcame the world so, even when the waves roll over, we will be of good cheer!

Prayer

Jesus, I pray for all 13 who got water baptized. As they wake up this morning I pray that they would be overwhelmed by the fullness of Your joy, the peace that passes understanding, and the reminder that no matter how many tribulations come, they are not alone. Their joy in You has filled me with a fresh joy. I pray that the joy of my salvation would not wane but would increase. I don’t want to live a life less surrendered, but more! I don’t want to ask less, but more for You are my endless supply of joy! I don’t have to fear the future because I’m heading there with You and You’ve already been where I’m about to go!