The Joy That Stays—Jesus in the Midst of Grief
John 15:11 — “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Psalm 30:5 — “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Isaiah 53:3–4 — “He was despised and rejected… a man of sorrows… yet he took up our pain.”
Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him…”
2 Corinthians 6:10 — “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing…”
John 16:22 — “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
Jesus doesn’t dismiss grief—He dignifies it. He wept at Lazarus’ tomb. He carried sorrow in His bones. Yet He promises a joy that outlasts loss—not by erasing memory, but by entering it. His joy isn’t dependent on circumstances; it’s rooted in relationship. When we grieve, He doesn’t demand we “move on”—He invites us to lean in. And in His presence, joy returns not as denial, but as defiant hope: “You are not alone. I am here. And I am enough.” This is how believers mourn—and still sing.
lyrics by Zeb of Virginia Beach Church
from his song “All In For Jesus”
I am standing on the right side of the river
over that black river I have crossed
I am basking in the light of Jesus here
on the other side of the river I was lost
I can feel his power I can feel his love
I can feel the might of the Lord above
I am standing on the Holy side of the river
basking in the light of the lord
I am All In For Jesus
All in for Jesus
All in for Jesus now
ain’t gotta go it alone here
ain’t gotta figure it out
ain’t gotta fight your battles
against the darkness filled with doubt
ain’t gotta drown in your sin
ain’t gotta swim in your fear
if you want a life in joy forever
then just come on over here and be
All in for Jesus
from his song “When Ya Got A Friend In Jesus”
In this moment we rejoice
And we sing as if one voice
Don’t you feel His love so real
Because we got a friend in Jesus
Ya we got a friend
Dontcha know we got a friend
And a joy that never ends
Hallelujah we got a friend in Jesus
Lord, thank You for staying when I’m shattered. Plant Your joy in me—not as replacement for love lost, but as proof You’re near. Let my grief lead me deeper into You. Amen.
