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Joy Before the Angels.001

Often when we think about joy during the Advent season, we focus on finding joy in the LORD. And that is certainly a good thing. There are so many reasons to be discouraged in life. And it's often a fight to have joy. So looking to Christ for joy is a wonderful thing to do.

But the Bible doesn't just focus on our joy. There is another joy that is actually the source of all joy. Certainly, the heavenly host of angels rejoice in the works of God. And no doubt, the countless multitude of redeemed from every nation, tongue, and tribe will be rejoicing in the presence of God forever. But the Bible points us to someone who will have a greater joy still.

As God's people, we will live forever in the presence of a glorious God who will forever rejoice over us.

Here's the proof:

God will be the Father rejoicing over his lost children who have finally come home.

Luke 15:22–24 — "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate."

God will be the Poet rejoicing over his people with glad songs of love and joy.

Zephaniah 3:17 — "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

God will be the Master rejoicing over his servants who have walked in his faithfulness.

Matthew 25:21 — "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'"

God will be the Shepherd rejoicing over the sheep he loves and rescues from danger.

Luke 15:5–7 — "Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

God will be the Husband rejoicing over his Bride that he has made radiant and beautiful.

Isaiah 62:5 — "For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."

God will be the Man rejoicing over the treasure that he gave us everything to have.

Matthew 13:44 — “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

We will spend eternity with a God who rejoices over us. And it's not because we are great. It's because he is great. It's because he is merciful. It's because he is gracious. It's because he is love. Christ is coming again for us so that we might live forever in the presence of our God who loves us and who will forever rejoice over us.

That's good news of great joy!