Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Acts 2:24-28
If we take the time to really sit and think, we have so much to be thankful about, as well as grateful for. Just remembering how the Lord keeps us from moment to moment from dangers seen and unseen is a absolute reason to shout for joy. I know that sounds cliché-ish but we spurt out these words so frequently as a part of our daily language, without feeling or thought. When asked, we testify to others of how good the Lord had been to us, we tell of His wondrous works and His mighty acts in our lives. We say, I get joy when I think about what He’s done for me. What about that keeping that same joy for what He’s doing regardless of how it feels or looks or about to do and will do even when it seems bleak, hopeless, unpromising, and disheartening? We quote scripture to show our knowledge, whether or not we understand it or live it; but because it sounds good and frankly, to make us feel and look holy; wearing it as a badge of honor. Unfortunately, for many, it’s just a façade and not how we genuinely feeling because most times we live deceptive appearances; far from happy and far from the joy of the Lord that we say is our strength. Happy and holy on the outside and in turmoil on the inside. We shout in pain, we live in heartache, we work in discomfort, and we serve in hurt. This ought to not be among the righteous, among the upright, among the saints.
David is quoted in this passage as saying, “I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.” And remember David did not see the Messiah nor did he experience His presence in the flesh, yet he could speak with a certainty that the Lord is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope! That is belief speaking and faith standing. And as it should be for us who have had the opportunity to experience Christ because of the Pentecost; believed that He died and rose just for us. Those of us who have the Word of God as our help and our hope. We have to crucify that flesh and let it rest only in hope as David did. The Word makes mention of the ways of life, the how, the why, and the results of following on that path of righteousness. Yes, we are going to experience life, the Word is clear on that but it is also clear on how to stand even when you don’t know what to do and to rejoice always. In spite of all else, keep your joy. We have to know where our hope lies and not let it affect our joy. Psalm 16:11 (paraphased) tells us “Thou, O Lord will show me the path of life: in thy presence (operative phrase here) in His presence is fulness of joy, not worry, not doubt; for at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Evermore means forever and for always! This is still David speaking. Regardless of everything else he went through whether self inflicted or not, he still had joy. We must remember to stay in His presence, seek His face, but most importantly, get Jesus joy! It will make you stand by the words you say.
Let’s make it a point today that from this point forward, we will remember that the Lord has given us the words to life and for every circumstance and situation that may arise. No matter what it looks like, don’t let anything take your joy. Keeping in mind that it is only a trial of our faith (I Peter 1:7). Let’s walk in victory because we have already won. My pastor used to tell us to fast forward on the videotape of life, you’ll see, in the end, we win (I Cor 15:57-58; I John 5:4)!
When I think about all that Christ did to make the ways of life known to me, I am coloring myself joy! It's a vibrant, exciting, bright and hopeful color! Now go ahead and sing, "I get joy when I think about!"
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
If we take the time to really sit and think, we have so much to be thankful about, as well as grateful for. Just remembering how the Lord keeps us from moment to moment from dangers seen and unseen is a absolute reason to shout for joy. I know that sounds cliché-ish but we spurt out these words so frequently as a part of our daily language, without feeling or thought. When asked, we testify to others of how good the Lord had been to us, we tell of His wondrous works and His mighty acts in our lives. We say, I get joy when I think about what He’s done for me. What about that keeping that same joy for what He’s doing regardless of how it feels or looks or about to do and will do even when it seems bleak, hopeless, unpromising, and disheartening? We quote scripture to show our knowledge, whether or not we understand it or live it; but because it sounds good and frankly, to make us feel and look holy; wearing it as a badge of honor. Unfortunately, for many, it’s just a façade and not how we genuinely feeling because most times we live deceptive appearances; far from happy and far from the joy of the Lord that we say is our strength. Happy and holy on the outside and in turmoil on the inside. We shout in pain, we live in heartache, we work in discomfort, and we serve in hurt. This ought to not be among the righteous, among the upright, among the saints.
David is quoted in this passage as saying, “I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.” And remember David did not see the Messiah nor did he experience His presence in the flesh, yet he could speak with a certainty that the Lord is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope! That is belief speaking and faith standing. And as it should be for us who have had the opportunity to experience Christ because of the Pentecost; believed that He died and rose just for us. Those of us who have the Word of God as our help and our hope. We have to crucify that flesh and let it rest only in hope as David did. The Word makes mention of the ways of life, the how, the why, and the results of following on that path of righteousness. Yes, we are going to experience life, the Word is clear on that but it is also clear on how to stand even when you don’t know what to do and to rejoice always. In spite of all else, keep your joy. We have to know where our hope lies and not let it affect our joy. Psalm 16:11 (paraphased) tells us “Thou, O Lord will show me the path of life: in thy presence (operative phrase here) in His presence is fulness of joy, not worry, not doubt; for at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Evermore means forever and for always! This is still David speaking. Regardless of everything else he went through whether self inflicted or not, he still had joy. We must remember to stay in His presence, seek His face, but most importantly, get Jesus joy! It will make you stand by the words you say.
Let’s make it a point today that from this point forward, we will remember that the Lord has given us the words to life and for every circumstance and situation that may arise. No matter what it looks like, don’t let anything take your joy. Keeping in mind that it is only a trial of our faith (I Peter 1:7). Let’s walk in victory because we have already won. My pastor used to tell us to fast forward on the videotape of life, you’ll see, in the end, we win (I Cor 15:57-58; I John 5:4)!
When I think about all that Christ did to make the ways of life known to me, I am coloring myself joy! It's a vibrant, exciting, bright and hopeful color! Now go ahead and sing, "I get joy when I think about!"
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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