Reading: Luke 10:17-20
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” And he said unto them, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Those who had been sent by Jesus to announce that the Kingdom of God was coming had completed their mission. We don’t know if they were well-received or not, but we do know that they return filled with joy.
Filled with joy for having been able to serve the Lord, and above all, for having seen the power of God as they called upon the name of the Lord.
Jesus rejoices with them and tells them, “Yes, I saw how Satan fell from heaven!” It is good to serve the Lord and to see how He works in the lives of those who have been reached by His Word!
But Jesus reminds them that there is an even greater reason to be joyful: we are known by Him, loved by Him, and saved by Him. We know that we are His.
We won’t always be well-received; things won’t always go (apparently) “without a hitch,” but the joy of knowing that we are serving the Lord because we are part of His kingdom cannot be taken from us by anybody or anything.

MEDITATE: Let your joy spring from the knowledge that the Son of God loves you and has given His life for you!

Translation By: Emily Stader