How does God rejoice? Read Luke 15 and notice the joy described. Anyone who has ever lost something precious can relate to these parables. When the lost sheep is found, the owner does not keep it to himself: “Rejoice with me! I have found my lost sheep!” When the valuable coin is found, the woman calls her friends together. “Rejoice with me! I have found my lost coin!” Jesus said these stories described Heaven. “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The Father cannot contain his joy… He celebrates!
Have you ever noticed a father beam when he talks about his child? The father of a junior high student shared something with me about his daughter, and I smiled as his love and joy could not be contained. But have you also noticed the anguish of a parent when a child rebels? There is nothing more heart-breaking than to witness the devastation that takes place when a son or a daughter rejects the love of the good parent.
The third parable in Luke 15 tells a story of the separation that came when the youngest of two sons chose to go his own way rather than stay in fellowship with his father. But his father continued to love and hope. And when the young man crushed by wrong choices walked a lonely road back home, his father could not contain his joy. He ran to his son and hugged him and kissed him. He gave him a robe and put a ring on his finger. He then planned a party. “Prepare the finest meal! Invite all friends and family! Let’s play music! Let’s dance! Let’s enjoy a feast! My son was dead but now he’s alive! My son was lost but now he’s found! Rejoice with me!”
Jesus was describing his Father… and no one knew his Father better than the Son. God loves to rejoice.
Some ask every now and then about my health, so I’ll give a little update. The chemo I’ve been taking for the last seven months has lost effectiveness. So I now am going through the normal tests to qualify for another trial. Probably in the next two weeks I will begin a different path of treatment. Susan and I appreciate your prayers for wisdom and good results. If you would like to be specific, you can pray for an increase in white blood cells, red blood cells, and especially platelets. We are both at peace regarding everything, but the unknowns tend to be a little annoying. Thanks for all your past and continued prayers for our whole family. God is faithful.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7