Everlasting Joy

So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

— Isaiah 35:10

The joy of the redeemed is everlasting, rooted in God’s promises. Unlike fleeting happiness, this joy springs from the unshakable assurance of salvation, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of God’s eternal kingdom.

Reflection

Advent is a season of waiting, and yet, it’s also a season of rejoicing. In Isaiah 35:10, we see a vision of God’s redeemed people returning to Zion, crowned with everlasting joy. This joy is not circumstantial but anchored in the eternal promises of God. It reminds us that sorrow and sighing are temporary, but the joy found in Christ lasts forever.

Dallas Willard once wrote, “Joy is not a passing sensation of pleasure but a pervasive sense of well-being that is infused with hope because of the goodness of God.” This Advent, we remember that God’s goodness is not only for the future but is a present reality, even amid trials.

Charles Spurgeon declared, “There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste and comforting to the heart.” The everlasting joy promised in Christ transforms and heals us, giving strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

Leslie Newbigin reminds us that joy comes when we recognize that history has a purpose and a hope: “The resurrection is the foundation of our joy because it assures us of God’s ultimate victory.” This victory is not just a distant theological concept but the very anchor of our everlasting joy. Because Christ has risen, the promises of God are secured forever, ensuring that sorrow, pain, and death will not have the final word. 

Everlasting joy flows from this assurance, as the resurrection guarantees that God’s love will never fail, His purposes will prevail, and His presence will remain with us for eternity. This joy transcends circumstances, giving believers an unshakable hope that transforms even the trials of today into opportunities to trust and rejoice in the God who redeems all things.

God’s promises bring everlasting joy today because they assure us that our ultimate future is secure in Him. This joy, rooted in Christ, gives us strength, peace, and hope as we navigate life’s challenges.

Question for Reflection

What temporary sources of happiness might you need to release in order to embrace the everlasting joy found in Christ?

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the gift of everlasting joy. As we wait and prepare for Your coming, fill our hearts with the hope and assurance of Your promises. Help us to release fleeting sources of happiness and cling to the joy that comes from knowing You. May this joy overflow in our lives, pointing others to the hope found in You. Amen.

Additional Resources

• Further Reading: The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

• Music: “Joy to the World” (Hillsong Worship)

• Devotional: Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon