Acts 8:39 “He went on his way full of joy.”
When was the last time you were overcome with joy? And I am not referring to those feelings of happiness that come and go depending on circumstances. I mean a deep-down feeling of extreme delight, serene calmness, and mental peace. Perhaps, like me, it was at the birth of a child or grandchild. Maybe it was being reunited with a loved one after an extended absence. Or, it might have been the day you married. These memories help us persevere through difficult seasons and put smiles on our faces regardless of the passing years.
Deep joyfulness does not come from the shallow things of life. Our lives are filled to the brim with modern conveniences, overflowing with virtual friends, and boasting salaries well beyond anything our parents could have ever dreamed. With such abundance at our fingertips, shouldn’t our hearts be overflowing with delight? But sadly, statistics indicate that as our amenities increase, our contentment in life decreases.
To get a glimpse of true joy, read the story of Philip and the Eunuch in Acts 8. Philip, a devout follower of Jesus, was summoned to the desert of Gaza by an angel of the Lord. Surely Philip must have questioned how he could possibly minister in the middle of the desert, but God had great plans amid the sand, sun, and heat. There, Philip encountered an Ethiopian man who held a position of high esteem in the court of the Queen, yet all the privileges of his life had failed to satisfy him. So, the Ethiopian Eunuch searched scripture for truth that might fill his soul. As Philip joined his chariot, the story of Jesus Christ, the risen Savior, was revealed. This Ethiopian man embraced the Good News, was baptized, and “He went on his way full of joy.” Acts 8:39.
What an unlikely spot to discover joy: in the dry, lifeless desert. Yet, it was here that Jesus the healer, the redeemer, the Savior, the giver of salvation and all that is good, offered life-changing joy. This man continued on to Ethiopia with a spirit of rejoicing and no doubt anxious to share the Good News he had encountered. Just imagine how the second leg of the journey far surpassed its beginning, for now he knew Jesus. He entered the desert searching for knowledge and he left the desert filled and refreshed; a most unusual reaction to desert life.
Do we sometimes find ourselves in the desert places of life – places that leave us dry and famished and desperately seeking the living water of Jesus? Perhaps we have forgotten the peace and comfort awaiting us when we re-discover our Savior. Even in the midst of hardship, pain, troubles, and difficulties, the priceless gift of Jesus refreshes us. And, just like the Ethiopian of long ago, we, too, can inherit His great joy.
Father God, we praise you for the joy you sent into our lives when you gave your Son to us.
Blessings,
Rita Cochrane