Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Luke 1:26-45

In this scene from Luke 1 there are four people in the room. Two are adults and two are infants. Two are breathing and being sustained by the oxygen in the room. Two are being sustained by their mothers’ bloodstreams. In our Western mindset, we would not imagine that one of these pre-born infants would be capable of recognising the presence of the other. Yet Elizabeth testifies to the newly pregnant Mary,

‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.‘ (v.42-44)

How is it possible that the 6-month-old John in Elizabeth’s womb could respond with joy to the presence of the days-old Lord Jesus in Mary’s womb? Because Godly joy arises not from the cognitive part of a human being but from the Holy Spirit. The pre-born baby John, whose entire adult ministry would be aimed at preparing people to receive the Lord Jesus, and who was filled with the Holy Spirit even in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15), was enabled by the Holy Spirit to recognise Jesus spiritually, even in the womb. This spiritual recognition and connection led to the great joy that flows from His presence (Psalm 16:11).

Today, no matter what is happening in our lives, we are able to live in the joy that flows from the Holy Spirit’s presence within us. Our part is not to produce this joy but to receive it through deliberately remaining mindful of the Lord’s presence throughout the day and turning to Him in prayer often. The Spirit’s joy will then be able to flow to us through the channel of this deliberate openness and intimacy with Him.

True God-given joy is the underlying, deep-seated satisfaction and contentment of His abiding presence, and it is ministered to us by the Holy Spirit. May this joy be yours today!

Holy Spirit, help me to recognise the presence of Jesus and to respond to His presence with joy today. Amen.