Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“In thy presence is fulness of joy.”
Psalm 16:11
To be in God’s presence is to know joy such as cannot be experienced on this earth. There are in this world too many sorrows here, too many distractions, too many weights on the soul, to know full, undisturbed joy.
Jesus told his disciples that the things he said to them were intended to bring them to fulness of joy. In other words, to save them in the end.
All joy in this life is tainted with sorrow, but in the place God has prepared for those who love Him, there is no hint of sorrow or of death. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will no longer exist, neither will there be sorrow, or crying, or pain, because the former things will have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Absolutely nothing will taint the joy that God will give His chosen people. “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich,” said Solomon, “and He addeth no sorrow with it” (Prov. 10:22). “He will make an utter end,” wrote the prophet Nahum. “Affliction shall not rise up a second time” (Nah. 1:9).
Jesus came, suffered, died, and ascended to the Father so that our joy might be full, and that means he died to bring us to a heavenly place where joy is undiminished by anything, forever. Only a fool would not want that blessing. May God make us wise enough to do whatever God requires of us, so that we may be counted worthy of receiving it.