Jesus has gathered with His disciples in the upper room. He delivers some hard news, real gut-punches. He is leaving them. In fact, He declares to them that He must go. But Jesus doesn’t end there.
Some of Jesus’s last words are not just about the inevitable and coming sorrow. He speaks decisively regarding an inexplicable and ensuing joy.
“Your sorrow will turn into joy.” John 16:20b ESV
“But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:22b ESV
Jesus encourages them to pray. “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 ESV
Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things. Kay Warren