Free Lunch and Dessert

DAY 5: GOD = COMPLETE JOY

Yesterday’s devotional ended in a party, a celebration by a father whose son returned home. That is the nature of God, to have joy. In the same way that the father in Luke 15 expected everyone, including his older son, to share in his joy, God wants his joy to be completed in us. One of the ways that He shares his joy, is by blessing us with gifts. “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24, NLT).

God wants us to rejoice in who He is when He pours out generous gifts to us. When we hesitate to accept God’s spectacular gifts, we miss out on the joy He intended for our lives. “And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past” (Ecclesiastes 5:19-20, NLT).

In Deuteronomy 16, God even provides instructions for how to celebrate and express joy after receiving gifts from his hand. “For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete” (Deuteronomy 16:15, NLT). It pleases God when his children share in the same joy that is within Him.

Instead of wondering why we receive good gifts when we have not been behaving in a way that pleases God, let us please Him by rejoicing for having them.

Scripture readings:

John 16:16-33

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

Deuteronomy 16:15