A Prayer about Being Overtaken by Gladness and Joy
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By Scotty Smith About Prayer
Those the Lord has ransomed will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. “I, even I, am he who comforts you.” Isa. 51:11-12
Father, words cannot capture my joy and gratitude for the hope these promises bring today! By your grace, I’m a part of the returning family referred to in this passage. Through Jesus, I’ve already been rescued, ransomed and redeemed for you. I was bought out of my rebellion and sin, guilt and condemnation, and brought into your eternal embrace and covenant family. Thankfully, I’m no longer my own—no longer an orphan or slave. I’m yours—your beloved child, and you love me because you love me, period!
All captivities—the ones I’ve generated and those brought upon me by others—all of them are broken in Jesus. No imprisonment, no bondage, no stronghold will keep me from arriving safely home in the New Jerusalem. Those the Son sets free are free indeed!
Indeed, Lord Jesus, you are my Jubilee—my eternal year of the Lord’s favor—the guarantee of the Lord’s peace with me and his great delight in me. I will enjoy this freedom more fully when the new heaven and new earth arrives, but I am already fully and eternally accepted in you. The saints in heaven are more happy than I am, but they’re not more secure—they know more, but they aren’t better known by you.
And to think, this standing in grace, we now enjoy, is just a preview of coming attractions—a hint and whisper of what’s ahead! You are so generous and faithful… What will it be like when we’re crowned with everlasting joy? What will it sound like when my voice blends in with the entire family of God as we enter the New Jerusalem together? I know what it feels like to be overtaken by guilt and shame, but what will it be like to be overtaken by gladness and joy?
Father of mercies and God of all comfort, hasten that blessed Day when all sorrow and sighing will flee away forever. Until then, free me for loving as I am loved and comforting others as I find great comfort in you. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.
