BIBLE PASSAGE:
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come;
but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy
that a child is born into the world. 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.
(John 16:21-22)
MEDITATION:
Things may not always go the way we hoped they would go, but for
those who love the Lord, there is joy awaiting at the end of our trials.
Why would He promise joy to us? Because He loves us more than we
could ever imagine, and He proved His love when He went to the cross
to absorb the punishment we deserve for our sins.
A little boy and his brother were living on the Florida coastline. They
were a little disappointed when a hurricane passed them by. They looked
forward to the exhilaration they would experience as they would lean into
the wind and taste the salty air! Sometimes the waves would reach fifty
feet in the air. What a sight!
Interestingly, there has never been a storm that moved across the ocean
floor. There will be storms that sweep across the surface of our lives with
raging torment, but the child of God can know a deep-down joy that
nothing can take away from him or her. If we keep our eyes on Jesus,
He will bring a joy that no man can take from us. We should be thankful
for the steadfastness of His power, love, and mercy.
ACTION:
Is your heart full of the joy of the Lord today? If not, why not? Who or
what are you allowing to steal away your joy today? Are you allowing
things like anger, anxieties, unconfessed sins, dishonesty, selfishness etc.
to steal your joy?
Are you losing your desire to read the bible, go to church, discuss spiritual
things, and fellowship with other believers? What about hidden sins? Have
you ever noticed that some of the most suspicious people are often sneaky
and have hidden sins in their own lives? It’s no wonder that they are suspicious,
because they know that others should be suspicious of what they are doing
themselves!
Smoky the Bear used to say, “Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires”.
With that catch phrase in mind, “Remember, only YOU know the things YOU
are doing that are hidden from the sight of others”. Whatever you feel is stealing
your joy, confess it to the Lord and ask Him to cleanse you and restore His joy
to you.
The longer you delay confession, the more the sins will own you and affect
your relationships with the Lord and others. If you feel that joy is seeping
out of your life, then stop blaming others; look inward and be honest with
yourself.
God knows and YOU know where the real problem lies. Don’t allow the
“things of this world” to continue to steal your joy. Joy is found when we
“see the Lord again” – which means confessing our sins with a desire to
restore our relationship and fellowship with Him!
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I want to fully experience the joy promised
to those who love You and have a desire to please and serve You.
Reveal to me the things that are preventing me from completely
embracing joy in my own life. Help me in my efforts to eliminate
sin in my life and to seek ways for You to use me in Your earthly
ministry. Thank You, Jesus, for what You did for me on the cross
that makes joy possible in my life.”
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