Choosing joy

There’s choices each day.

So many, at times they can feel overwhelming.

One of those choices we all make each day, sometimes minute by minute, is what we choose to do.

What we think on, what we meditate on, what we listen to, what we read, all are choices.

These choices either build our faith or tear it down.

When faced with uncertainty, tragedy, and pain we have a choice.

Despair or trust.

Will we praise God through the current circumstances or will we complain about the havock?

Throughout history we see God using the things Satan meant for evil and turning it to good.

As followers of Christ, we need to choose to find joy in Him, even in the midst of incredible pain.

For we can choose joy even while we suffer.

Acts 5:41 KJV — And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Yes, there will be trials and tribulations.

Yes, we will struggle, suffer, and experience tragedy.

No, it won’t last forever, because Jesus promises eternal life in Paradise.

And thus, we can choose joy.

Not a false pretense of faking it.

Not denying the fear or hurt or loss we are experiencing, but in those things choosing to cling to Jesus.

Choosing to praise Him for He is worthy.

Choosing to find hope and joy in life eternal.

It’s not easy, nor is it popular.

Yet God’s Word is truth and in it we find our example:

Luke 23:34 KJV — Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Romans 5:8 NKJV — But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

In God’s Word we have the answer.

Romans 5:3-5 NKJV — And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 8:28 NKJV — And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

In His promises we can find joy.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. Thank You for life eternal in You because You sacrificed Your life on the cross. Thank You for showing us how to handle tragedy, fear, and pain. Please continue to guide and direct us as we walk daily with You. Lord, let our hearts be full of Your Word and our lives settled securely in Your truth. For this is not our home, that awaits us in heaven. Praise You, Lord Jesus! Amen!

Let us remember

“The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory. Isaiah 60:19 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.60.19.NKJV

For those who are followers of Jesus Christ, we need to remember this promise.

This world is not our permanent home.

The way things are now is not how they will always be.

Some day the world will change forever.

Revelation 6:1 NKJV — Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”

Revelation tells of the Lamb opening the seals and the changes the world under goes.

It’s not a pretty picture, but in the middle is praise.

Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV — After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Revelation 7:11-12 NKJV — All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

What better way to remember the truth of the future which awaits than by worshipping Jesus today.

Life doesn’t always bring us hearts full of gladness, but salvation should always bring us to praise.

Let us remember the promises of God and rejoice in the salvation of Jesus Christ!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for salvation. Thank You for Your promise of eternal life with You. Lord, I can not even imagine what it will be like to be in Your presence, to never need the Sun or Moon again because You will shine continually. Lord, I can not contain my wonder at Your incredible blessing to us in the gift of salvation. Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for Your promise of eternal life. Thank You for reminding me to praise You daily, practicing the joy of eternity right here in today. Thank You. Amen.

Allied with the children of Israel

And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,  They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their donkeys, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;  And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.  And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.
Joshua 9:3‭-‬6 KJV

These people of Gibeon heard how God had given victory to the children of Israel.

Kings had gone to war against the children of Israel.

Barak had hired Balaam to curse them and then followed his advice to snare the children of Israel with idolatry.

Nothing anyone had done previously had worked, all had been over thrown.

So we see the people of Gibeon try something new.

They tricked the children of Israel into making a promise.

They made an alliance with the children of Israel.

The old saying: “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” comes into play.

The people of Gibeon joined the children of Israel.

And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
Joshua 9:15 KJV

Although the people of Gibeon lied and deceived, they made a far better choice than any other group who had dealt with the children of Israel.

It was a wise choice and God honored the promise made to them.

Of course, when one chooses the Lord God, it’s noticed by those who consider Him their enemy.

Wherefore Adoni–zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,  Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
Joshua 10:3‭-‬4 KJV

And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
Joshua 10:6‭-‬8 KJV

God wiped out those who had set themselves up to take out the people of Gibeon.

It’s certain the people of Gibeon were seen as traitors by the peoples around them, but the truth is they had been traitors to God, serving idols instead of God. When they made their alliance they were returning to God, although they may not have known it then. With the covenant they became servants of God’s people for generations.

God never forgot the promise made to the Gibeonites. 2 Samuel 21:1-14 KJV

The people of Gibeon joined the Israelites and found two things.

First, they experienced persecution from those around them who didn’t like the alliance they had made.

Second, they found themselves rescued by God Almighty.

Today we do not have to try to trick, lie, or deceive others to join God’s people.

Jesus opened the door to salvation and called the Disciples to spread the good news to every tribe and tongue.

The only thing required to join God’s people is to believe in Jesus Christ and what He did for us.

When that choice is made, they who have chosen change masters.

No longer are they slaves to sin and wickedness, but instead servants of the Most High God.

Truly, God is the best Master.

Jesus said:

Matthew 11:30 NKJV — “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this story. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for being such a wonderful Master. Lord, You served people while You walked upon this Earth and You call us to serve as well. Please help us to be humble and loving people. People who shine the light of Your truth. Lord, what a wonderful privilege to have an alliance with You, to find redemption and salvation in You. Thank You, Jesus for all Your blessings. May Your glory fill the whole Earth. Amen.

She laughed…

But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!” Genesis 18:15 NKJV

How this resonates with my heart!

How often have I done this very thing?

Denied my actions out of fear.

Denied the thoughts of my heart from shame.

And yet how futile, how ridiculous!

To tell God, “No, I didn’t!”.

The picture of a child looking up into my face after I called them out for their behavior flashes into my mind.

They can not accept the truth and therefore deny it: “No! I didn’t!”

And my response:

“I saw you.”

And the same it is when my wayward stubborn heart refuses God gentle voice in question, “Why…?”

Just like Sarah, my heart is foolish with fear and I deny the truth.

And just like with Sarah, God responds: “No, but you did…”

What a wonderful God we serve, that He loves us enough to patiently teach and hone our hearts.

Then He does the unexpected.

Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”
Genesis 21:5‭-‬6 NKJV

The reason Sarah laughed in the first place was God had told Abraham that she would have a son.

Her heart couldn’t accept God’s promise at first and thus she laughed, because the idea was so far from expectation she found it funny.

But that didn’t hinder God.

And when this miracle happened Sarah laughed again, for pure joy.

Sarah had made a mistake in first not believing God and second in not admitting her doubt.

But God called her on it and then proceeded to follow through with His promise.

Although she made a mistake, she learned from it.

I want to be a woman like Sarah.

When God calls out my unbelief, I pray I remember this story and choose instead to humble myself before Him rather than deny the truth.

When God promises something, may my heart believe and not doubt.

I don’t want to be the child who denies the truth.

I want to be the child who learns from the past and walks with faith.

I want to be able to laugh with complete joy.

Psalm 119:73 KJV — JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the story of Sarah. Thank You for Your loving kindness and Your faithfulness. Lord, please continue to shine Your truth into my heart and mind. Let me learn from the past and teach me to be an obedient child of God, not wayward or headstrong. Lord, I want to laugh as I see the fulfillment of Your promises, even if those things take many years. Let me hold fast to integrity and to trust You completely. Thank You, Jesus for truth. Thank You for Your love. May the world be filled with the knowledge of You. Amen.

Promise

A new day.

And depending on the outlook,
can bring hope of what is to come or,
frustration over what has already occured.

Each day has enough to walk through without dragging yesterday into it.

Yet, our memories don’t stay in the day we reside in but can transport us to any destination upon which we place it.

Or we can create a new by inventing the possibilities of the future and be consumed with the things in tomorrow or next month or next year.

But the promises of God are greater still.

God has no limit in time as we do and He has promised to be with us.

He is able to free us from yesterday and to guide us through tomorrow and still to love us in each moment of today.

As I begin again at the tasks at hand I ponder.

Where would I be if I tried to go it alone?
How desolate I would become if my mind could not depend on the promises of God to help me,  to be my strength, to guide me through another morning into another day.

And I am reminded that there are many who as yet know and understand about my Lord.

Those who feel they have to make it in this world by their own abilities.

And I am stricken with sorrow.

How terribly sad, lonely, and tragic.

So I pray this morning,
for those who are yet to know Jesus,
and I praise Him for His promises,
not just for me,
but for anyone willing to accept them.

What a great God!

What an amazing promise!