Filled with an Inexpressible and Glorious Joy!
To be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…who wouldn't want that? I know I do. But is such joy attainable to real people with real difficulties being faced day after day? The shout from scripture is a resounding, “Yes!” Consider Peter's words from 1 Peter 1:8:
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
First, consider the recipients of this joy. Like us, Peter's audience had never seen Jesus on earth—but they loved him and believed in him, like we can. They were everyday believers who had been scattered because of persecution throughout numerous regions and cultures. Joy in the midst of difficulties was their testimony.
Consider the quality of their joy. Peter writes that their joy is both inexpressible and glorious.
An inexpressible joy—this speaks of a joy that is beyond words, beyond explanation. To have such joy in the midst of severe suffering was totally extraordinary and served as a sign and wonder to a watching world.
A glorious joy—this joy was something supernatural, imparted by the Holy Spirit, revealing the splendor of God.
Consider the source of their joy. Peter conveys that being filled with this joy was intimately connected to his recipient’s authentic love for and belief in Jesus. Jesus said that such joy is the fruit of abiding in his love. In the context of teaching about abiding in him, Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). The apostle Paul writes that believers can and must choose joy. He writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Incredibly Paul is writing this from a dingy Roman prison cell. Notice that he exhorts us to rejoice “in the Lord,” not in or for our challenging circumstances. And finally, this source of joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit—a mark of his sanctifying and empowering presence that is the fruit of obeying his word and the nudges of his Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Praise God that all of this is available to all of us!
Consider the missional impact of Kingdom joy. This inexpressible and glorious joy is expressed all across the pages of the New Testament. Even non-believers (documented in extra-biblical materials written in the 2nd century) testify to the extraordinary joy and love expressed by followers of Jesus, especially as they witnessed it in the midst of the believers' severe suffering and persecution. Such joy unspeakable was and still is a powerful apologetic for the reality of Jesus and the Kingdom now among us.
Many of us today, including myself, need a joy upgrade for the health of our souls and the well-being of our relationships, as well as for the sake of bearing faithful witness to Jesus and the life he has made possible. Like the first followers of Jesus, we too will continue to face many trials and tribulations. But like those who have gone before us, we too can discover that the “joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), and that we too can be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy!
So, I bless you, my Novo comrades, in Jesus’s name, to have a joy-renewing encounter of Jesus in the cave, to be spurred on in joy at the table, and to serve in joyful expectation on the road. Kingdom come!
SUGGESTIONS FOR APPLICATION:
Take a few moments to still and quiet your soul, fixing the eyes of your heart on Jesus. In this posture, ask Jesus to speak to you about his promise of inexpressible and glorious joy. Ask the Holy Spirit to impart a joy upgrade into your heart. Soak and receive.
Think of one challenging situation you are currently facing. As you consider this relational, health, or ministry difficulty, begin to “rejoice in the Lord” even as you ponder this challenge. Try it!
Just for fun, watch and listen to the Happy song and see if you can hold back a smile.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bill Randall and his wife Jill live in Boise, ID within minutes of their three married kids and six grandkids. Bill has an earned doctorate in spiritual formation and theology from Fuller Seminary. After a career of church planting and equipping leaders for Kingdom ministry, Bill and his wife Jill joined Novo in 2014. He launched Pioneering Initiatives in 2016 which grew to 13 teams serving in Western Europe and the States. Bill currently serves on the Novo Lead Team as the co-director of the Gospel Movement Teams division.
