Daily Devotional for Tuesday, February 17

The Joy Felt by the Disciples and Jesus

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven,” Luke 10:20.

People often cringe when I say it, but God is not concerned with your happiness. However, He is greatly concerned with your holiness. Happiness is dependent on outside sources. Things that feed our flesh are deemed fun and make us happy. People seek after riches not because they want wealth, but because they want what the wealth can do for them and the happiness they think it will buy. The bucket of happiness comes up empty from the well of worldliness. The flesh is never satisfied no matter how much it is fed.

            The disciples returned to Jesus rejoicing over the gifts and power given them for ministry. In essence, they were excited about what they were able to do, “even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10:17).

Jesus certified that His power breaks the power of Satan. Satan was expelled from Heaven by the power of Jesus, and Jesus gave this same power to the disciples, His power dominated the work of the devil on earth. However, there was greater cause for rejoicing that the disciples were overlooking. Jesus reminded them of the blessed fact that their names were written in the Lamb’s book of life in Heaven. He informed them that they were receiving knowledge that was denied to others and that they were being allowed to see things that to others were hidden. These were the true reasons for Joy!

Our righteous standing in Christ is our cause for rejoicing. Long after the amusements of this world have lost their luster, the things of God will bless your heart and cheer your soul. The world does not give you your joy, therefore the world cannot take it away. Find your joy in the things that Jesus loves!

Final Thought

Where is your treasure? Does the ticking of the clock bring you closer to or farther away from your treasure?

John Nations