Advent Devotion December 20
“Though you do not see Him, you trust Him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” - 1 Peter 1:8
I was recently struck by the number of times the word “joy” is paired with “shout” or “sing” in the Old Testament and how few times that pairing takes place in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, joy was often the people’s outward reaction to a tangible or observable blessing from God. The New Testament tells us of a deeper joy, one that resides in us when we come to Christ.
When our grandchildren were small, each of them loved to snuggle and be sung to sleep at nap time. As soon as they heard the words “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart,” that dear children’s song, they would lay their heads on my chest and their bodies would relax.
That is exactly what that inner joy that comes from trusting Christ does for us: It allows us to rest and relax in the knowledge of His care. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). In our busy world, especially during this frenetic time of year, what joy we can find by resting in Him.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that during the busyness of this Advent season,
I will allow myself to experience the rest and joy found only in You. Amen
By Claudia Castenir, Radcliff UMC, Heartland District