Daily God Walk

That They May Have the Full Measure of Joy

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. – John 17:12

 The purpose behind all that Jesus taught those who would follow him is stated in this prayer to his Father: “That they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”

All that Jesus taught about the life of faith in God and life in the kingdom was for this one purpose; that those who followed him would have a sense of fullness and great joy.

David wrote of this time in Psalm 16:11, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

 Sometimes we become so consumed with trying to be  good and to be “spiritual” we forget that Jesus showed us the primary purpose of his ministry was to bring us great joy.

Let’s look at what Jesus said about Joy in these chapters of John which record of his last teaching before his crucifixion:

• John 15:11 – I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
• John 16:20-21 –You will grieve, but you grief will turn to joy.
• John 16:22 – Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
• John 16:24 – Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Let us not miss the point. The focus of the entire ministry of Christ was to position believers so that the joy of the Lord would be manifest in them. David prophesied that there would be joy in the presence of the Lord. If we do not have the joy of the Lord then maybe we need to position ourselves so that we will be in his presence. The purpose of his commands and his instructions is so that our joy would be complete.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to always remember that there is joy in obedience. Grant me the grace to submit to you. Amen.

Principle:  The focus of the entire ministry of Christ was to position believers so that the joy of the Lord would be manifest in them. David prophesied that there would be joy in the presence of the Lord. If we do not have the joy of the Lord then maybe we need to position ourselves so that we will be in his presence. The purpose of his commands and his instructions is so that our joy would be complete.

Affirmation:  The joy that I have is the result of his abiding presence. I have learned that in his presence is fullness of joy.

Reflection:  There are many references to the joy of the Lord in Scripture, particularly in the Psalms. I encourage you to do a study of the joy of the Lord and reflect on the Scriptures which address the subject.