Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
Jesus sent the disciples (all seventy of them) on a mission. They “returned with joy.” Why? Because they experienced success in their ministry and they found that they had power as even demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name. Success and power are two things that cause people to be happy. But look at Jesus’ reply.
In verse 18, Jesus commented that He knew success when Satan’s (then Lucifer’s) rebellion was put down. Jesus knew not only power, but authority, since He has all authority. “Nevertheless,” Jesus continued, “do not rejoice in this” success and power. Instead, understand that the ultimate reason for joy is salvation.
Those who come to grips with their need for forgiveness (an absolute prerequisite to being saved), and then experience God’s grace and forgiveness, also experience unparalleled joy. Then every time we sin (which robs us of joy), when we confess our sin and receive a fresh cleansing from all unrighteousness, that joy is renewed
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:8-10
God’s forgiveness is the ultimate source and reason for joyous living. Christians should be the most joyful people of all. Why? Because no matter what is happening in our lives, our salvation is unaffected, since salvation is of the Lord. It’s not based on us, what is happening in our lives, or how we feel.
My fellow child of God, remember your need for forgiveness. Remember how the Lord Jesus has abundantly satisfied that need that otherwise could never be met! Then rejoice, not because of success or power but because your sins are forgiven! And keep on rejoicing since your salvation can never be taken away or forfeited!
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39