Philippians 3:1 (NLT)
Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
Romans 5:2 (NLT)
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Speaking of the connection between desiring and delighting in GOD, Piper states, “The final joy of seeing the glory of GOD and being swallowed up in it has been tasted, and the desire for it is the very pleasure of the future enjoyment experienced now in the form of anticipation.” (27)
What our fearless author is alluding to is an eye-opening truth that we often miss when reading Scriptures such as our two today. We- those who follow Christ into relationship- have already got a taste of the glory of GOD. We’ve been forgiven and recreated. We’ve been given his very Spirit inside and access to him at all times. We've been given joy and peace (despite the problems of this world). And it is because of this “taste” or delight we've already sampled that we “desire or anticipate” even more. Knowing, by faith, that this life together with him is only the beginning of an eternity in which ALL OF OUR DELIGHTS AND DESIRES WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN JESUS!
When all the Scriptures are read. And all the devotions written. This is what it comes down to: Our new desires and delights will fade into what they truly are- Jesus. Our delights and desires aren't for joy, hope, or even love. They are in the Glory that is GOD, personified by Jesus, and given through the Spirit.
Praise GOD!
Go ahead. Shout it out. And don’t worry about those around you. They need who (and what) you have.
