Power up

Scripture: Luke 10:17-24

I am in need of some power this morning. Read the above scripture and notice how it is the humans who are rejoicing in a minute portion of what Jesus already knows and has experienced. Casting out demons is so old hat to him, especially since he saw Satan cast out of heaven, but in His name and through his power, his followers were able to do the same and their joy is palable. But what Jesus is really happy about is not that they were able to cast demons out, but rather their success meant one thing and one thing above all - that this was a way that they got to know who God really was, and Jesus was able to show them. He prays to God immediately in praise (a great habit) and states that he is happy because:
"...no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Jesus' entire mission was to redeem this world and the only way to do that was to get people to realize that God existed, loved them, and wants them back. This revelation is not only dependent upon Jesus' choice, but the reaction of the audience. Could they trust Him to go out and cast out demons in the name of some Hebrew carpentar that claimed he was the son of God although everyone knew perfectly that Joseph and Mary were his parents and he hailed from the po-dunk town of Nazareth?
I'm sorry it says Jesus turned and prayed "in joy in the Holy Spirit" not only because He was happy that He was accomplishing His mission but also because He knew it was a tough sell. As C.S. Lewis argued and as Joshua McDowell expounded, Christ is either a "liar, lunatic, or Lord". He either lied about who he was, and thus, was not a great moral teacher or revolutionary, he was crazy, or He actually is who He said He is.
But furthermore, outside of the divine implications of Jesus' joy and prayer, there is also the relational and human element. It was the Holy Spirit that gave Him the avenue to express that joy between Him and God. What this means is, when the will of God is either being done by us or someone else, and we recognize and acknowledge that, that is not only true worship, but a pathway to the emotions of God! Those who think of God as an angry old man in heaven may be partially right depending upon some scriptures, but do they ever stop to think about when God is giddy? What makes him happy. The link is made from God's wrath to our actions, but what about God's happiness to our actions? Remember the LORD's words when that dove (again, the Holy Spirit) descended upon Jesus; He said "This is my son, with whom I am well pleased."
I pray that I may serve the Lord not so that I may feel self-righteous, stave off guilt, or enable pride. I pray that you and I may serve Him to feel happy in and with Him. It brings our minds and hearts into union and peace with God, and it makes us think less of ourselves and more about Him and what he is doing in us. Remember, Jesus cautioned and blessed the seventy by saying the following:
"However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
That brothers and sisters, remains the big picture. God wants you to be happy in Him and has provided an eternal avenue for that. So take heart and go out and do his will. And don't be afraid to cast something out either, take a page from the Nick Boyer guide to faith on that one, haha.

Go in peace to Love and serve the Lord.