"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
(JOHN 15:11)

Acts 16:25-34
From the outside of stories of great suffering, no one expects joy. Who would have expected to hear Paul and Silas singing songs at midnight while chained and thrown into a prison dungeon? Yet they did, and their joy was contagious, even to the jailer who came to Christ with his whole family. And “he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God” (Acts 16:34). Abiding, loving, obedience yields joy. And it’s a joy not of this world.


Together our family has struggled through my battle with cancer. But as we have done so, we have been in the path of streams of mercy, abiding peace, and amazing grace. Friends have joined us in our home and have marveled at the peace they enjoy as they share in our story and our joy. It doesn’t make sense to those “on the outside.” Usually it doesn’t make sense to us, either.


When it looks as if the end is near or that your days of trouble will not end soon, embrace the joy that Jesus offers you, joy that He will complete in you in His good timing and providence.



Scripture Focus

Acts 16:25-34

Insight

JOY IN CHRIST DOES NOT DEPEND ON CIRCUMSTANCES. JUST WATCH AND SEE HOW JESUS CAN TURN YOUR GRIEF INTO JOY.

Bible In A Year

  • Deuteronomy 13-14
  • Psalm 86
  • Acts 9

RENEW Your Anchor Subscription Today