12/17/2025
A quick note:
Sometimes one passage just isn’t enough. Joy runs through the whole story of God: from promise to arrival to completion, so today we’re letting Scripture do the heavy lifting. Twist the throttle and lean into it.
Isaiah 35:1–10
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10 ESV)
Take time to read Isaiah 35:1–10.
Zephaniah 3:14–17
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)
Take time to read Zephaniah 3:14–17.
Luke 1:46–55 (Magnificat)
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46–47 ESV)
Take time to read Luke 1:46–55.
John 1:6–9, 29
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29 ESV)
Take time to read John 1:6–9, 29.
Joy in Scripture is never shallow or circumstantial. It shows up in deserts before they bloom, in fearful hearts before they’re fully healed, and in promises before they’re fully seen. Isaiah paints wastelands rejoicing and redeemed riders crowned with everlasting joy. Zephaniah says God Himself roars His delight over His people in triumphant song. Mary rejoices not because the road got easy, but because God kept His word. John points us to Jesus; the true Light leading the pack and the Lamb who carries our sins.
Biblical joy isn’t denial of pain; it’s confidence in redemption. It doesn’t ignore the wilderness, it trusts God to make it bloom. It doesn’t pretend the wind isn’t stinging; it knows salvation is closer than the next mile marker. Joy hits hardest when we remember who’s riding with us and where this road ultimately leads. C.S. Lewis says it like this “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
This week, let’s ride with joy that doesn’t depend on clear skies, smooth pavement, or perfect plans. The Light has come. The Lamb has been revealed. God is in the saddle with us, and that’s more than enough reason to crack the throttle and rejoice.
Keeping it Real
In Jesus