Oozing With Joy

# 190 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:29,30, “But Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 "How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?" ( 1 Sam 14:29,30) At first glance it appears that Jonathan's remark is a little disrespectful toward his father and king. Perhaps it is. How about we let God straighten that one out? Remember, Jonathan was not aware of the order when he ate of the honey, and his remarks here may be just some observations he has made. His observation comes from the noticeable countenance of the troops. They all had “troubled” looks. The word means roiled up or disturbed. Have you ever seen the look on someones face when they are disturbed about something? This troubled look comes upon all who are pre-occupied with other things. In this case they were pre-occupied with hunger brought on by Saul's command.. Jonathan says, Look at me, I ate. How does my countenance look. The inference being that his face has a brightness to it....some joy if you will. He was not pre-occupied with the command of Saul not to eat. Dare we say that he was not under the Law but under grace? Those who live under the yoke of the Law have a dourness about them, but those who live in grace have an air of joy. I am reminded of the words in Ne 8:10, “Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." The joy of the Lord flows from the overabundance of His grace and our desire to share it with others. It is this joy that gives us strength in our own spiritual battles. If an unbeliever were to look at your face, what would they see? Dourness or joy? You may be able to hide dourness, but you can't hide true joy, it oozes like Jonathan's honey from those who have it. Joy that comes from knowing your standing with God by grace through faith in Christ. Joy in knowing your sins are forgiven.