19. I am beginning to understand how much joy it brings to God when He participates in a spiritual community with us.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

Do you think that God has emotions such as joy, sadness, frustration, or peace?

Can our actions and desires bring joy to God?

What things can we do that most please God?

Do you think that God enjoys being with you?

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1,  NIV)

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20, NIV) 

Like grandparents who long for the times when all of their children and grandchildren can gather as a family, God loves to be with His children. God’s nature is love, and God’s desire is to be relationally connected to His children so that they can experience His love and He can experience theirs. 

Throughout the Bible, God is often associated with celebrations, gatherings, festivals, feasts, and parties. God loves to be with us, He enjoys us and wants to be included in our lives, and especially enjoys being with us when we gather together. Like parents and grandparents, God’s greatest joy is to join in the joy that His family is experiencing. 

When spiritual communities gather in unity and joy among their members, God delights in being invited in. We may find it difficult to imagine how much God really likes His children and each of us individually. The prophet Zephaniah says to God’s family, Israel, The Lord your God is with you,…He will take great delight in you;…will rejoice over you with singing.” (3:17, NIV). 

When we participate in a spiritual community with other children of God, showing love to each other and inviting God into our community, His joy cannot be described or imagined.