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| PentecostalTheology.com
THE JOY OF HOPE
~ Ray E Horton, December 25, 2019
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
You and I were that joy, the joy He had in providing for our salvation to become a part of His Body on Earth
So many believers are very familiar with the first part of this verse but forget the second. Truly amazing that there was joy in that terrible “cross” experience.
“FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS.”
You and I were that joy, the joy He had in providing for our salvation to become a part of His Body on Earth.
Meditating on this inspired the following:
“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross”
But first:
- For the joy set before Him, He created man to have others upon whom to pour out His unlimited love
- For the joy set before Him, He was born in a manger as a vulnerable human being
- For the joy set before Him, He endured abuse and temptation
- For the joy set before Him, He ministered direction and the love of God to people
- For the joy set before Him, He arose from agonizing in the garden, taking courage, knowing what was to come
- For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross
Then, the Joy of Hope became a reality with the salvation of mankind, the resurrection, and the sending of Holy Spirit.
And now:
- For the joy set before Him and us, He and we endure mankind
- For the joy set before Him and us, He leads His people
- For the joy set before Him and us, He and we are building His Body here
- For the joy set before Him and us, He grows in us the fruit of character
- For the joy set before Him and us, We use the authority we have in Him and share the Word with signs following
- For the joy set before Him and us, He and we advance His Kingdom, making disciples and bringing in the harvest
And, one day soon:
- The Joy of Hope in the fullness of our salvation shall be a reality as He presents us blameless to the Father.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
