Luke 10:17

Rejoicing and gladness will always accompany “vessels” empowered and used by our Lord, even in the face of hardships and difficulties. “Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God” – Leon Bloy. Quite simply, there is no earthly joy that can compare. To have the supernatural all-achieving power of the Holy Spirit placed within our “jars of clay” is a treasure indeed! This is why we find the apostles stating the following after being flogged for “performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people”:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 5:41-42 (NIV)
Rejoicing in the midst of hardships for being faithful to our Lord in and of itself should give us pause. There is nothing human about this. Everything natural within us would want to flee and hide, not to mention whine and complain! Paul reiterates this same theme to the Philippians:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Phil 2:16-18 (NIV)
It was Paul’s desire for us all to experience this same joy towards our own vessels being used for God’s glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. Peter states this too:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:13-17 (NIV) 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16 (NIV)
Need I remind you that this was the same Peter that had previously denied our Lord three times to save his own skin? What is the difference here? One is natural man working in the flesh – desiring to be obedient but failing miserably: 33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." 34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:33-34 (NIV) 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."
60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:55-62 (NIV)
The other is the Holy Spirit empowered Peter praising God for allowing him to suffer for Christ’s name. What a transformation! Later this same Peter wrote to endure sufferings so that God’s grace would be made manifest in our lives: 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
“Work designed for eternity can only be done by the eternal Spirit.” A.W. Tozer “The worship of God is not a rule of safety – it is an adventure of the Spirit.” Alfred North Whitehead “The same power that brought Christ back from the dead is operative within those who are Christ’s.” Leon Morris