As we journey through life, we discover that it is not all mountain tops, but it can be difficult at times and discouraging. It is easy to get discouraged, but the Lord gives us joy along our journey.
When we are down, we need to be encouraged by others and the Lord. The Apostle Paul encouraged Roman believers in a letter. Romans 15:13I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. [1]
As the wise men sought the baby Jesus, it was a long journey. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they spoke to king Herod who pretended he wanted to also go and worship the newborn king. King Herod was evil, and the Lord protected the wise men and the baby Jesus from this menace.
The Wise Men were Filled with Joy
Matthew 2:8 Then King Herod told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” 9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy![2]
Were the wise men discouraged after their visit with King Herod? Were they beginning to doubt if they could find their way to the newborn King? The Scriptures do not say. What we do know is after a long, exhausting journey, the Lord gave the sign of the star and it stopped over where the baby was. This sign filled their hearts with joy. With new vigor and excitement, they quickly finished their journey to baby Jesus. This is the power of the joy of the Lord. It picks us up and helps us refocus on the journey the Lord has for us.
True Joy is in Our Relationship with the Lord
No matter my circumstances, if I know Jesus as my Savior, I can experience the joy of the Lord. Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.[3] When we focus on the Lord, He shows all the good things that He is doing in our life and will do in the future. Take time right now and give thanks to the Lord for all that He is doing in your life. May the joy of the Lord fill you to overflowing. To learn how the Lord gives us joy along our journey, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/coming-of-messiah-visit-of-the-magi
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.