Promised Joy

“You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.” —Luke 1:14

While the difference between joy and gladness may not be crystal clear, Scripture does indicate they are both a gift from the Lord and a right response to His goodness in our lives. Elizabeth and Zechariah were promised a child who would be a source of joy and gladness.

Regardless of what you may be experiencing in your workplace, neighborhood, community, church, home, or in your own heart, regardless of whatever circumstances God finds you in today, if you are a child of God, you have the promise that one day there will be joy and gladness.

Maybe you’re in a prolonged season of disappointment and think, It’s been an awful long time, and I haven’t seen the joy yet. There is a kind of joy you can experience, even in the midst of those circumstances, because your joy is attached to God who never changes (Mal. 3:6).

But there is another type of joy that is not yet fully experienced . . . joy in the future fulfillment of God’s promises.