He Must Increase

Today’s Word Of Encouragement From Wayne:

“So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 3:29-30

John the Baptist’s response to standing and hearing the voice of Jesus, his friend, “the bridegroom’s voice” as he put it, was beautifully expressed in His words. “So this joy of mine has been made full.”

Yes, praise God, each of us have been graciously granted this exact same full joy in our Savior and, when we do take the time to listen to the voice of Jesus as our Bridegroom and Friend, joy is always the result.

But it is what John said next that was so crucial, because this was about how we may effectively cherish and protect, for our own benefit, this truly great and continual joy that we have been gifted with and given from God.

This ability and blessing from God, for you and I to be able to live with great joy in the midst of a greatly troubled world, is a divine gift and power, a protection of His Own word and Presence over us and within us.

When John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” the Baptist was simply showing us that joy comes, and remains, with the increase of Christ in our lives.

Conversely, joy can quickly run out the door when we allow the increase of our own thoughts over those of our loving Lord.

Today, let us decrease in our own thoughts apart from God so that Jesus may joyfully increase in our minds, hearts, and in all we say and do.

Yes, Lord, may there be more of Thee and less of me in this day so I may stand and rejoice in my bridegroom’s voice over Your gracious choice of me, as your beloved child. Hallelujah!