JOY

It's official. There's a new sheriff in town,

and the outlaws…well…they are a-runnin'!

 

Many of us prayed so hard for this, and joy fills our hearts. We know the LORD said yes. But even if He had said no like He did four years ago, that does not change His sovereignty for the Almighty Triune God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.[1]

 

His changelessness diminishes fear and allows true believers to have unspeakable joy no matter the condition of our lives or the situations in our world.[2] Why? Joy comes from within our soul since we are filled with God's Spirit. Joy transcends the things we see and experience because God Most High is on His throne, and He loves us with an everlasting love. He is in total control, orchestrating events in our lives and on Earth, whether trials to refine us or gifts to bring us joy and Him glory.[3] We, above all, know how God works things around for the good of those who love Him.[4] So joy, like our faith, is not in circumstances or outcomes of elections but in the Omnipotent God, who holds everything together and is our exceeding joy.[5]

 

Happiness, on the other hand, depends solely on things going our way, and when they don't, we're sad. Happiness is fleeting. But when true believers are not happy about the situation in our lives, we run to Him. He is our Strong Tower, and we’re safe. Our Good Shepherd feeds and gathers His flock with His arm. He carries them in His bosom and leads them gently.[6]

 

He alone can right the wrongs, and though we may weep through the night, joy will come in the morning because we know beyond a shadow of a doubt God's purposes will be accomplished. What is written in His Holy Word will come to pass, for "the works were finished from the foundation of the world."[7].

 

Daniel said it best. "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His…He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him."[8]

God, indeed, is sovereign. None of His creation can ever "…restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"[9] But think about this: He allowed us to enter into His plans by praying, doing the work it took for our nation to come back from the brink of destruction, voting, and praying again. The people of God have finally awakened from the stupor Satan had lulled us into, and we have joy because joy does not depend on circumstances like happiness does. Joy depends on the LORD our God, the Holy One of Israel, who alone is both LORD and SAVIOR, and there is NO OTHER.[10]

 

Heavenly Father, please bring light to Your children and this dark world so all may have joy, give You glory, and see Your hand at work in our lives, our nation, and our world. LORD, protect those in leadership and help them to bend the knee to You as they make decisions and appointments. Rebuke the enemy, and do not allow him to hinder their work. Help us to come alongside those in office to support and encourage their fight for righteousness and for the Word of God to return to our nation. Thank You, O LORD, for Your great mercy on us, the sheep of Your pasture. We continue to look up and wait patiently for Jesus, our Blessed Hope, to meet us in the air. In the name of Yeshua Jesus, we pray, Amen.

 

"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."[11]

 

Joy and Love in Christ,

Anita

 

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[1] Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8

[2] Isaiah 41:10; I Peter 1:8

[3] Jeremiah 31:3; I Peter 1:6-7; Hebrews 2:4

[4] Romans 8:28; Isaiah 3:10

[5] Colossians 1:15-17; Psalm 43:4

[6] Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 40:11; Proverbs 3:5-6

[7] Psalm 30:5; Hebrews 4:3

[8] Daniel 2:20-22

[9] Daniel 4:34-35

[10] Isaiah 43:10-12

[11] Hebrews 13:20-21