Jesus said, “He who serves me, my Father will honor.” Also, “He who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”
That seems to be the point he is making: we are to be serving Christ and seeking his glory. If we are, the Father will honor us; the world most likely will not honor us, but God will.
So, how does God honor his servants? Psalm 45 says of Christ, “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God has honored you with the oil of gladness.” We could talk about other ways to honor someone, but this one is exquisitely beautiful and rare.
Joy and gladness are rare commodities in this fallen generation. Sorrow, doubt, and despair are the order of the day.
If we can sustain a heart of gladness and joy as we walk this somber landscape of life, we will be an inspiration and a sign of hope to all who know us. What greater honor can we attain to in this life?
The apostle John wrote, “May you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” And then the apostle Paul wrote, “The kingdom of Heaven is not food and drink, but righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit.” Finally, Isaiah wrote of those that proclaim God’s word, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst forth into song before you, and the trees will clap their hands.”
All good things will accompany the one who continually rejoices in his Lord and in his salvation.
To conclude: joy and peace are gifts, priceless gifts. They are incomparable in value. Through them we are enriched, our friends and family are enriched, and our God is glorified. This side of Heaven, they are as close to bliss and ecstasy as we can get, and they are a sure sign that we are walking the paths of Christ and storing up eternal treasures.
~ Brad Heilhecker
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