Joy in Victory!!

Luke 10:17-20 “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 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. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

What is the source of your joy? As we read the above verses, it is easy to be captivated by the dynamic elements that are described. Jesus had sent 70 people out to preach the Kingdom of God and we see them return with great joy, reporting the things that they experienced.

- The casting out of demons

- The trampling of snakes an scorpions

- Victory over the power of the enemy

Please take notice of how Jesus directs them.

Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

To the 70 that Jesus granted power and authority, He tells them NOT to base their joy on winning spiritual battles. This is quite a statement; especially given the fact that these particular believers had just experienced unprecedented victory over wicked principalities and powers.

We have also been given authority and power over our enemy through Jesus Christ, but we must be faithful to the very same instruction that Jesus gave to the 70. We CAN’T base our joy on how the battle is going (Because the battle will not ALWAYS go well!), but instead, allow our joy to come through that which was finished on the cross – New Life in Jesus Christ. Jesus specifically tells them (and us!) that the source of our Joy needs to be on the fact that in HIM our names are written in Heaven.

In Faith Unfeigned

Rich