Intense and especially ecstatic or
exultant happiness is the definition the dictionary gives for joy. Many among
us have lost theirs. Once upon a time they knew exultant happiness. They were
elated and jubilant. Then something happened; something that changed their
lives forever and put an end to their joyfulness. Something they had was taken
away from them or something they had hoped would happen did not happen. They expected
a good report from the doc. They expected a raise. They expected they would
pass. They expected God to heal them. When the unexpected happened instead they
were sent into a tailspin. It is like an aircraft that stalls and plummets to
earth out of control heading for a crash. You may be one of “them.” As you read
this message you may be experiencing exactly what God impresses upon me to
write today. God impresses you to write? Brother Mike, you mean you just don’t
sit down and come up with something to write? That might be your thoughts. Yes,
He impresses ideas, words, and even phrases upon me as I sit with my fingers on
the keys. He does that because He knows I may not even know you, or you may not
know me: but He knows you. Even if you and I are acquainted I still may not
know what you are going through or facing at this moment: but He does! He wants
you to know that. He had you mind for this message.
If our
joy is founded upon our well being then it can be lost. David had lost his joy
and in the moment of crisis it came to him why. David remembered the one thing
that brought him joy to begin with. That was the salvation that comes from God.
His earthly trials had overtaken him and then he remembered that his earthly
life was only temporary. We might say it this way in our language, “Remind me
again Lord what You did for me on the Cross. Bring back to my remembrance the
fact that I have not lost my salvation. Pick up the broken pieces of my life
and put them back together that I may feel whole once again.” Job found out the
hard way that earthly trials are not the result of God giving up on someone.
Let David’s
prayer be yours today if you are one of “them.” Jesus has petitioned God on
your behalf: But now I come to
You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled
in themselves. (John 17:13).
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