Topic: Joy Often Come In The Morning [DCLM Daily Manna 11 December 2019 Daily Devotional By Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: John 16:16-24
16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Key Verse: “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” – (John 16:22).
MESSAGE:
It is certain that without pain, a new a life will not begin. Women experience excruciating pain when in labour because nature and providence has made it so; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, her pains and groans are over. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy will definitely come in the morning. Jesus Christ was referring to His death and resurrection when He said to His disciples “a little while and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while and ye shall see me”.
The suffering and death of Christ was to bring sorrow and anguish to His disciples because they loved Him. It was going to be a grief to lose Him for whom they had left all and from whom they had expected so much. The world (those who crucified Him) will rejoice because they hoped they have conquered Him and inhibit His purpose. It was needful and expedient for Jesus to part a while with His disciples through the painful and shameful death on the cross to open the floodgate of both temporary and eternal joy to them and all humanity through His resurrection.
To the believers, the death and resurrection of Christ does not only bring joy through salvation but also offers a clear knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel such that we can have direct access to the Father through the name of Jesus. Therefore, no matter what pain, affliction, persecution or sorrow may come our way, we must remain focused and steadfast in following and serving the Lord because such will not last long rather will eventually lead to a joyful end.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Only the expectant will see the King with joy in the morning.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 John 1-5
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
