JOY UNSPEAKABLE
MEMORISE: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1 Peter 1:8
READ: 1 Corinthians 2:9
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
MESSAGE
Many have heard the term 'Joy Unspeakable', but only a few have ever experienced it. That is the kind of joy that overwhelms you so much that you cannot find the right words to describe the experience .
Several years ago, we had a programme in a town called Ota in Ogun State, Nigeria. A lady who had been barren for several years attended the programme and later on asked that l pray for her and l did. Before she came to the programme, her in-laws had said, "lf you don't give our son a child within the next one year, you are out of this family". The following year, we were holding another programme and there was a long queue of those who wanted me to pray for them; this woman was on it. When it got to her turn, she was silent and when she finally opened her mouth, she could only say, "Jesus". The second time she tried to talk, she said "Jesus" and then she did it the third time. By now l was beginning to wonder what was happening, then she told me she was the barren woman I prayed for the previous year. At that point, l realised why she hadn't been able to talk at first; she had given birth to twins and experience 'joy unspeakable'.
As you read this devotional today, l decree that you will soon experience joy unspeakable, in Jesus' name.
Our memory verse today says if you believe in God, then He will make available to you joy unspeakable, full of glory. All you have to do is believe in Him. Believing in Him means that you act according to what you say you believe. James 2:17 says:
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Your behaviour must show that you believe in God. It must be that of one who goes to God believing that whatever he or she has asked for will be granted. James 1:6-8 says anyone who comes to God without faith should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
REFLECTION
Be sincere with yourself: do you really believe in God?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 76-77
HYMN 25: TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE
1 To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.
2 Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3 Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
