Enter His Joy Now

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master'” (Matthew 25:21, ESV).

Someone quietly serves and seeks no reward. Someone else humbly washes feet. Another unobtrusively loves and helps others. These are ones who are often passed by and go unnoticed. This morning these words in Matthew 25:21 are whispered to you who have, like the servant in the parable, invested his talents wisely. They are spoken to you who carry your cross faithfully with little recognition, and serve Him no matter what your circumstance. They are spoken to you, who no matter what you quietly face, have faithfully handled each obstacle. He wants you to always know His joyful assurance.

Many times we hear these words in Matthew spoken for those who are ready to meet Him face to face after a lifetime that has been devoted to Him, but these words also speak of entering His presence now. They speak of entering a life of deeper spiritual existence in Him. Serving Him with no need for anything else than just to serve Him, brings you into a fuller life in His Spirit. Others may not see your commitment, your patient heart, and your quiet service, but He sees it. Your reward might not be recognition or wealth, but it is so much greater, and it is yours. It is His joy.

It is His joy complete with its abundant peace. It is His joy that brings a deeply spiritual exhilaration of confidence when faced with pain and suffering. It is His joy that no one can take away from you. His joy is the result of a deeper spiritual existence that comes through a quietly sacrificed and obedient life. It comes as a result of pain and suffering that has been courageously faced. If He is your strength and courage through times of suffering, then, in time, His joy becomes your greatest reward. Entering into the joy of the Lord now is entering into life with Him here on earth. One day your life here will be completed in heaven, and you will know Him as He has always known you. That will be the greatest joy. But until then you can enter into His presence with joy, and know you are a good and faithful servant who quietly and responsibly takes care of what He has entrusted to you.