"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Pet 1_8-9)

What should bring us this "inexpressible and glorious joy"? Knowing, loving and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we first encountered Jesus in a way that he became real to us and not someone we heard of, was there not an new, inner joy? As we come to a deeper love for Jesus, is not joy the fruit of this love? As our faith in seeing God face to face and being with God eternally becomes stronger, is not a sense of joy present with us?  This joy is a mere shadow of the joy that awaits us in the eternal presence of God with all the angels and saints. As long as we keep our eyes on the prize, union with God, our joy will be renewed within us. Hold on to this joy!