“(Father) I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” John 17:13
Dear Jesus, how profound, how astonishing, how transforming… you don’t just pray for our joy, but that we would have the full measure of your joy. Though the complete answer to this prayer awaits your return, even now you are praying for our growth in joy. Topple our doubts. Grant us a fresh openness to the Spirit’s work in our hearts.
Why do we need your joy? Because “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Neh. 8:10), and we need all the strength you’ll give us, Jesus. Strength to live and love to your glory. Strength to forgive as you have forgiven us. Strength to believe the Gospel when our shame and fears feel more real than your grace.
Your joy isn’t dependent on circumstances, and it co-exists well with sadness. For you were both “anointed with the oil of joy” (Heb.1:9), and “a man of sorrows and very familiar with our grief” (Isa. 53:3). This comforts us deeply, Jesus, for sometimes we feel pressure to get over stuff and be up all the time.
Though it’s so much more, your joy brings a settled disposition of peace and delight—a humble certainty that our Father loves us as much as he loves you, that he is sovereign over everything, and that you are coming back for us with the unbridled, unfiltered joy of a loving Bridegroom. Hallelujah, and please do that soon! So Very Amen.