Inexpressible Joy

CELEBRATE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“You love him passionately although you have not seen him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!” (1 Peter 1:8-9 TPT).

The church was born on a day of celebration. The feast of Pentecost was a special festival in Jerusalem. It was an occasion to celebrate the first fruit of harvest, and filled with expectation for the fullness of harvest yet to come. The week was filled with joyful anticipation as the crowds assembled for the community celebration. The feast allowed all people to join in the joy of the harvest.

This was the moment the Spirit descended on a roomful of Jesus followers awaiting the “promise of the Father!” Luke wrote, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, … they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues” (Acts 2:1,4 NKJ). Jesus chose this day of celebration to pour out His Spirit. It is no coincidence that this experience brings joy and a cause for rejoicing. 

A new birth is always exciting; with new life there is cause for joyous celebration. The New Birth experience that Jesus spoke about is also a reason to rejoice. It is a celebration of salvation. While in the Old Testament salvation was more about deliverance from their enemies, the New Testament expands the understanding to embrace the deliverance from sin. We are saved from sin by the blood of Christ and redeemed to God by His sacrifice. 

The prediction of the prophecies anticipated this element of joy. Isaiah wrote, “The Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:2-3 NKJ). David’s prophetic song said, “My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation” (Psalm 35:9 NKJ)

The joy of salvation is celebrated today. Pentecost is here again and the experience of baptism in water and Spirit is available to all. Peter wrote that our faith will be revealed in Jesus Christ and “believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8 NKJ). Be filled with His joy!


Theme passage:
“For God has given us these seasons of joy, days … decreed for us to celebrate and rejoice” (Psalm 81:4 TPT).