The JOY of the LORD

What did GOD delight in? What brought the LORD joy day after day while HE created the heavens and earth and everything in them?

HE saw what HE had made and said, “It is good!” (see Genesis 1).

That wasn’t all that brought GOD joy, for other texts tell us that within the GODHEAD the THREE each loved and delighted in ONE ANOTHER. HE also delights in those who seek HIM. Just like my greatest joy is knowing GOD and spending time with HIM in HIS word and prayer.

But I also find great joy in what HE delights in, HIS creation and those who love HIM.  Seeing the beauty of a sunrise, the flowers on my plants and even clouds in the sky will lift my spirit and bring me joy, giving me strength by refocusing me on the awesome characteristics of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.

Who would have thought that my strength is determined on what I choose to think about?  But I find that it does.

“The JOY of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Whether it is simple irritations like the cat knocking things off my desk, concerns over countless struggles my children and grandchildren are facing, or disturbing reports of the global disasters, wars, or even just the cost of eggs, it is too easy to get my eyes onto distractions and off my great ALMIGHTY GOD and HIS promises.

AW Tozer said, “Sometimes when we get overwhelmed, we forget how big GOD is.”

But GOD’s word says, “All this is for your BENEFIT, so that the GRACE that is Reaching More and More People may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of GOD. Therefore, we do not lose heart… For our light and momentary TROUBLES (in comparison) are ACHIEVING for us an eternal glory that FAR OUTWEIGHS the pain and struggles of today. (2 Corinthians 4:15-17).

That says that the things we and others encounter in life are meant for our good, to cause us to reach out to GOD and find HIM (Acts 17:26-27) so that we may live forever with HIM in a sinless and wonderful new world (John 3:16).

So, if we FIX our EYES not on what is seen (the situation), but on what is unseen (choosing to trust what GOD has said, that HE is ACHIEVING through the situation) we can find joy and peace in the midst of the storm.

For what is seen (the situation) is temporary, but what is unseen (what GOD is ACHIEVING) is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18).

It is written, “The joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). So choose joy.

GOD is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), HE changes not (Malachi 3:6). GOD so loved the world HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM will not perish but have ever lasting life (John 3:16).  Find joy in the LORD and grab ahold of HIS promises by simply believing HIM.

“For the LORD GOD, the HOLY ONE of Israel says in returning and rest (in ME) shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence (in ME) shall be your strength..” (Isaiah 30:15).

No matter what you are facing, let the joy of the LORD be your strength by simply trusting HIM.

Hugs

Sharon

What do you fear?

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth (lying and corrupt speech), do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13).

Looking around anyone can see we as a nation do not hate sin anymore, therefore there is no fear of the LORD in our land.

And since “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10) we are in a very scary place indeed!

So, we need to “trust in the LORD with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge (talk to) HIM and HE will direct our paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

JESUS said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled (by what you see is happening), you believe in GOD believe also in ME” (John 14:1) I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Which name do you use?

When you meet someone new what is the 1^st thing you learn about that one? 

Since introductions often start with “This is…….,” I’d say the 1st thing we learn usually is the name of the person.

So, it is with GOD and in the Bible, names often tell us something about the person.  GOD is called by many names and even addresses HIMSELF by different names.  You will find that if you examine the context wherein a certain name is used for the ALMIGHTY it speaks of how GOD is relating to people at that time.  This is spectacularly obvious in the 1^st 3 chapters of Revelation where JESUS refers to HIMSELF using a enormous rage of names showing how HE is relating to a person because of how that person is acting.

One name to refer to GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST is LORD.  LORD is not just another name for GOD it means Master= the One who has the right to tell you what to do. 

We are promised: “ if you confess with your mouth that JESUS is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 ESV).

For “whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

When we confess that JESUS is LORD we are saying, ‘JESUS YOU are my Master,‘ and with that we convey the concept “I will look to YOU for direction”.

Do you, do I look to JESUS for direction in what to do, where to go, and what to say?   Hmmm

Hugs

Sharon