Verse of the Day for December 23

The seventy came back from their mission thrilled. Even the devils had obeyed them. They had seen results, and the results were spectacular.

Jesus does not deny the results. He gave them the power. But he redirects their joy. in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you. but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Results change. Some weeks the work goes brilliantly, and some weeks nothing moves. If your joy is tied to outcomes, it will rise and fall with every report. A name written in heaven does not rise and fall.

Then Luke tells us something rare. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit. Jesus is glad, and what makes him glad is that the Father has shown these things to babes, not to the clever. He rejoices in grace, not in performance.

In the middle of a project, a semester, a busy season at the shop, check where your joy is anchored. Write your name at the top of today's list and remember it is written somewhere far more permanent.

Do the work, but do not let the work be the reason for your joy.

Jesus rejoiced over grace given to ordinary people.