Paul Coming with Joy by the Will of God Romans 15:32

Paul the apostle told the believers in Rome, “I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake,

and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me”, and he added, “That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints.” In chapter fifteen and verse thirty-two of Romans, Paul told the believers how he wanted to, “come unto you with joy by the will of God” where we read:

That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

The verse begins, “That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, ...” Paul began with the words, “that I may come” which means “so Paul might arrive, appear and show himself” “unto you” or “to or toward the believers in Rome” “with joy” which means “in gladness and cheerfulness” “by the will” or “through and means of the wishes, determination and purposes” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul desired to visit the believers in Rome through God's “determination and purpose” in a spirit of “gladness and cheerfulness”.

The verse continues, “... and may with you be refreshed.”. Paul added the words, “and may with you” which means “and well might Paul along with the believers in Rome” “be refreshed” or “rest and give refreshment” toward one another. Paul knew when he came to the believers in Rome, they would provide “rest and refreshment” to one another.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he desired to visit the believers in Rome by “God's will” and with a “spirit of joy”. He knew when he saw them, they would “refresh” one another. Those who have received Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” long to have joyful fellowship with one another according to God's desire, and they are “refreshed” by one another's presence. God longs to have a relationship with every person, and He wants them to be “refreshed” by having fellowship together. This is to be one of the advantages of the church meeting together, and perhaps those reading these words need “joy” and “refreshment” “by the will of God”. Let the church be a venue where this is certain and true.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome, “the God of peace be with you all”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.