Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Jude 1:17-25

Once again, our Bible reading reminds us that joy comes from the presence of the Lord and not from circumstances. Jude celebrates that God is able to keep the believer from stumbling and present us before His glorious presence without fault and with “great joy”. That “great joy” is “agalliasis” in Greek and it is an extreme joy. It’s the kind of joy that overflows and must find expression through some kind of reaction like laughing or jumping for joy. Remember how John “leaped for joy” in Elizabeth’s womb? that’s agalliasis!

Experiencing the LORD’s unhindered presence – because our sins have been removed by our Saviour Jesus and we are therefore “faultless” before the Lord – is what positions us for this overflowing joy. As believers we should realise that while this will take place when we meet the LORD face to face, it can also happen daily when the Holy Spirit ministers the LORD’s presence to us.

And what can we do to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He draws us into the Lord’s presence? Jude 1:20 gives us our answer:

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in God’s love ...”

We keep ourselves in God’s love, and in His loving presence (from which His joy flows) by building ourselves up in faith and by praying in the Holy Spirit. Our part in experiencing joy-giving intimacy with the LORD is to read and faithfully respond to the Word of God in order to grow our knowledge of God and our faith in God, to fellowship with other believers in Christ who will strengthen us in our faith, and to pray to Him as led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, please draw me ever deeper into intimacy with the Father. Grant me the fullness of Your love, reveal Yourself to me, and empower my prayers and my study of Your Word so that I may know You in ever-increasing measure, I pray. Amen.