One year our family was particularly eager to get to the States for our upcoming home assignment. We couldn’t wait to spend time with family, soak up some sunshine, and eat all the special foods. Our excitement and joy were tied up in what was to come.  

Isn’t it interesting how we place our joy in something we look forward to instead of the here and now? A sort of discontent settles in our hearts until we reach that thing. It reminds me of the joy we have as believers…a joy produced from our hope in eternal life with our loving heavenly Father. Our hearts are discontent with the temporary and fleeting joy our present-day offers us, and that discontentment is good because it spurs us to eagerly anticipates something far better than what this present world can give. 

In order to help our children (and ourselves) endure our last month before heading to the States that year, we printed and hung up the Bible verse, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”(Psalm 118:24 ESV)It was a visible reminder to rejoice and be grateful each day, even as we anticipated the excitement of the days ahead.

“The day” spoken of in that verse refers to the day of our salvation, the victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death. Of course, we can rejoice and be glad in that day! Our salvation, our permanent union with Christ, and our hope in a new heaven and earth provide for us an eternal joy and reason to rejoice every day, even when those days are not as exciting as the ones we’re looking forward to. It’s why believers have joy in the midst of mundane moments and even difficult circumstances. Eternal joy is not circumstantial like the emotion of happiness. It is absolute, based on the Father’s love poured out to us through the blood spilt by His Son. Only this kind of joy will satisfy our hearts every day. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!