The Bible employs the word “reverend” only once. Studying the context offers one appropriate definition and acceptable usage. Unfortunately, the vast majority of believers are unaware that the title “reverend” has been inappropriately usurped to apply to men. This reflects how far so-called Bible teachers and preachers have strayed from God's holy precepts. God wants Christians to show proper respect to a man of God, but the title “reverend” should never be used to address him. There is only one Name that is reverend and that is the Lord’s. An English Baptist pastor and author, Robert Robinson, who wrote the hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, abhorred the pomp assumed by many of his ministerial colleagues. He once said, “I wonder why any man should be so silly as to call me Reverend.” Only one is worthy of all praise and honour and that is the Lord (Psalm 99:3; Revelation 4:8).
We have already learned that our joy is to be found in the Lord and this joy is a special gift from above. With this truth foundational to our study, what are some things that we can do as believers that will bring us lasting joy? Far too many people think joy surfaces once the stresses of life cease or at least begin to diminish. Yet, the Bible teaches that joy can be found only in faithfully serving the Lord. Today's verse reveals that the disciples found joy through what God had done in and through them! Considering a few more scriptural examples of joy should help to solidify our mindset concerning this subject. The Bible records great joy as the people of God willingly sacrificed to the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:17). Proverbs 21:15 reveals that “It is joy to the just to do judgment.” The book of Luke tells us that there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). From these and other examples, we know that true joy will be found when we willingly serve the Lord God, but never in the things of this world.
