Joy in Knowing

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. – (Habakkuk 3:18, NIV)

But I will still be glad in the Lord and rejoice in God my Savior. – (Habakkuk 3:18, ERV)

Then I will still rejoice in the Eternal! I will rejoice in the God who saves me! – (Habakkuk 3:18, VOICE)

Joy is not meant to be dependent on our circumstances, but rather in whom we place our trust. No matter what comes our way, there is still joy in knowing God and trusting in the truth of His promises. His goodness is not dependent on what is taking place, but rather He is good, because He is God. Our salvation alone is reason to rejoice. The hope that is found in knowing God brings joy even when our circumstances are difficult. I imagine many of us can think of moments that we were abundantly aware of joy in Him, despite all that has taken place in the last year plus of the pandemic. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and is evidence as we journey with Jesus. May we ever rejoice in the Lord, our Giver of joy, as we water the soil to grow deep roots in Him and allow His hands to prune and produce good fruit as we place our hope in Him.

No matter what comes,

There’s joy to be found;

It’s not a feeling,

But fruit that is sound.

True joy’s from within,

Found in knowing Christ;

Praise and thanks go forth,

As in trust, we rise.

So, let us rejoice,

Give thanks to the King;

Our true Source of joy,

Through love that He brings.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we have reason to rejoice in You, no matter what surrounds us. Thank You that joy is a fruit of the Spirit, something that You nourish and grow in our lives as we trust and invest in You. Forgive us for limiting joy based on our happiness with our circumstances. Teach us to find joy in You, no matter what is taking place around us. Show us how to love everyone in a way that encourages joy on the journey, no matter how rocky the road. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You and rejoice in You, for Your goodness and love make joy rise within. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. – Psalm 90:14

Rightful Rejoicing

“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” – Luke 10:20

photo by God’s Daily Word

In this passage, Jesus was speaking to the seventy-two disciples who had been equipped and sent out to share the good news of His Name.  Upon their return, they were overjoyed that even the demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name.  Despite His joy in their enthusiasm, He reminded them that what mattered more than anything that they had seen or experienced, was the assurance that they had been granted the gift of eternal life, by the grace of God, when they had chosen to follow Him.

To each of us, a measure of gifts are given so that we might glorify God and guide others to Him, through our faithful obedience to utilize what we have been granted.  That being said, our focus ought to be on the Giver and not on the gift.  Our greatest “possession” is the peace that passes all understanding by the hope that is presented through the promise of our ultimate destination, when we give our hearts to God and learn to live for Him.

Some will reap and others sow, and still others will witness the harvest.  Rather than revel in the glory we see today, we are to fix our eyes on our eternal prize that is found in He alone, who is our heavenly hope.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You empower and equip us to accomplish things in Your Name.  Keep us from losing sight of You, our Source, and may we always rejoice as we remember that we have been redeemed.  Teach us, lead us and love us, so that we too might love one another as You have called us to do.  Help us to always keep a heavenly perspective as we press on in all that You have prepared for us.  May our faithful obedience fulfill the great commission so that we may soon see You, our great and coming King.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present