JOY THAT DRAWS IN
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5 NIV
There is a gentleness that can only be drawn from a deep seated joy one has experienced in Christ.
One of the reasons Christianity is not as appealing as it was in the past is the mortified nature the professed believers seem to carry around. Many lead with stories of pain and suffering, oftentimes making it about the experience and less about the light at the end which reveals Christ with us in all things and our hope of glory. As a result, those on the outside feel less and less desirous of The Way.
Child of God, the posture of thanksgiving is the only thing that can uplift such a poverty in spirit. Thanking God, rejoicing in who He Is before, during and after any miracle you hope to see is the only way to change this countenance the enemy has smeared over God’s children.
Remember that a foothold is anything that can be used against you, regardless of how big or small, dramatic or subtle; that is why Paul begs “do not give the enemy a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27). Like David, let us get into the habit of speaking to our souls (Psalm 42:5).
Let us tap into the wisdom of separating soul and spirit in prayer, knowing that what we know about God is factual, never changing and trustworthy. And that is our reason to find hope and strength in every season. Be therefore joyful, IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES — you children of God. Hallelujah!
Prayer: Father I thank you for this word. As the prophets of old confessed, it is the Joy of the Lord that is our strength. It shall be said of me that my joy is contagious and I will use every opportunity entrusted to me to point to its source, in Jesus mighty name. Amen!
CI.
