Divine Protection - Our Source of Joy
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 22 2024 | John 17:12-13
KEY VERSE:
¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. ¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." John 17:12-13 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In John 17:12-13, Jesus prays for the protection of His disciples, reflecting on how He guarded them while on earth and entrusting them to God's ongoing care as He prepares to depart. This passage emphasises two main themes: divine protection and the joy that comes from being securely held by God.
Jesus recounts that He protected His disciples in the Father’s name, ensuring their spiritual safety, not just physical protection. He highlights that none of His disciples were lost, except Judas, fulfilling Scripture. This illustrates that Jesus is the guardian of our souls, ensuring our spiritual well-being and His protective role continues as He intercedes for us in heaven.
Jesus then prays for the joy of His disciples, asking that they experience the full measure of His joy. His protection is not just about keeping us safe from harm but also about giving us complete joy. This joy arises from knowing that we are in God's care, that He is watching over us, and that nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:38-39). In Christ, our joy is rooted in the assurance of divine protection and eternal security.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
The protection Jesus speaks of is directly connected to the joy He desires for His followers. When we are secure in God’s protection, we can live with a sense of peace and joy that transcends circumstances. This divine joy is not dependent on external situations but on the inner assurance that God is in control, guarding our hearts and souls.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the protection You offer us through the Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to trust in Your care and to find joy in the security You provide. May Your presence be our source of peace, and may Your joy fill our hearts as we rest in Your faithful protection. In Jesus' name, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: FULL MEASURE The phrase "full measure" (plērōma in Greek) indicates completeness, abundance, and totality. Jesus desires that His disciples experience the fullness of His joy, which surpasses temporary happiness.
Jesus is praying that His disciples, though facing trials and challenges, would be filled with His divine joy. This joy stems from the assurance of God’s love, protection, and the ultimate victory over sin and death. This phrase highlights that Christian joy is not circumstantial but rooted in the divine protection and eternal security provided by Christ. The fullness of joy comes from knowing that we are held securely in God's hands, which gives peace and strength in every situation.
Reflections:
How does knowing that Jesus desires for you to have the full measure of His joy impact the way you approach life's challenges? Are you living in the security of His protection and finding joy in His care?
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