AHA MOMENTS

Aha Moments

We all have them—flashes of intellect or inspiration that bring excitement to our heart. God’s Word often causes Aha moments when our minds and hearts are ready to receive. The Lord is waiting. Are you ready to receive His Aha message?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

The Joy of the Lord

Have you ever read something a second time, or a third, and received a new revelation about the message? One day while reading in the Bible about joy, I realized that not only are we joyful in our relationship with the Lord, He is joyful over us. The revelation became an Aha moment for me.

God has emotions. The fact that we were created in His image clinches that truth. At different times He was—and is—disappointed, angry, sad, kind, patient, and loving toward His people. He wears His heart on His proverbial sleeve. What would we be like without emotions? Robots, perhaps.

The prophet Zephaniah told the Israelites a bad news/good news message. If they didn’t turn back to God, they’d face consequences. His good news was a message of hope about the Lord removing His judgment on them if they returned to Him.

Zephaniah’s message still stands. “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) What better message of hope is there? What better picture of God than that of His happiness with us?

Jesus, too, expressed joy while He lived on earth. He attended weddings. He showed love to children. He shared happy moments with His disciples as they walked the countryside. During His final days, He spoke about love and joy as one entity. “These things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:11-14)

Jesus’ command is to love one another, and joy is a by-product of love. Joy fills our hearts because of our love-relationship with the Lord. Joy fills God’s heart when we offer a cup of cold water to someone thirsting or when we forgive someone for an offensive remark. When we pray for someone—anyone—He sings for joy because our prayers rise as a sweet fragrance to Him.

In other words, we are a joy to the Lord. Is He your joy?

Lord, thank You for Your joy in us and for filling us with joy so we can share it with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.