JOY IN THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY

January 26, 2026

Now to the One who can keep you upright and plant you firmly in His presence—clean,

unmarked, and joyfulG20 in the light of His glory— to the one and only God, our Savior, through

Jesus the Anointed our Lord, be glory and greatness and might and authority; just as it has been

since before He created time, may it continue now and into eternity. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25 (VOICE)

G20. agallíasis; gen. agalliáseōs, fem. noun from agalliáō (21), to exult. Exultation, exuberant joy. Not found in Gr. writers but often meaning joy, exultation (Sept.: Ps. 30:5; 45:15; 65:12, rejoicing with song, dancing. See Ps. 126:2, 6); great joy (Ps. 45:7; 51:8, 12). In the NT, joy, gladness, rejoicing (Luke 1:14, 44; Acts 2:46; Heb. 1:9 from Ps. 45:7, oil of gladness with which guests were anointed at feasts, where used as an emblem of the highest honors [cf. Jude 1:24]). (64)

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, Zodhiates, Spiros

If we are clean and unmarked, which we are by the grace of God through Jesus’s death on the cross, we are joyful. We are confident because of what Jesus has done. The assurance that Jesus fulfilled His purposes—living a perfect life as the complete God-Man and giving Himself as a sacrifice in our place—provides us the freedom to live joyfully while fulfilling our God-given purposes. When we dwell with Christ in our heavenly home, our bodies as well as our souls, will be pristine. All scars—physical, emotional, and spiritual—will be erased. Even now, as we anticipate that day, we can rejoice because we have been anointed with the oil of gladness!

Pursue joy on a daily basis. Remind yourself of the glory, greatness, might, and authority of the One you serve. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus:

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Father, our ability to stand before You “clean, unmarked, and joyful” was purchased for us on the cross by Your Son, Jesus Christ. His blood was the soap of Your love to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we are right with You, we can live in joy. Thank you for enabling us to live joyful lives now and for eternity.

Worship with the Gaither Vocal Band singing “Center of My Joy” acapella: