JOY

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 24 (day six)

Where does joy come from? Where is contentment found? Is it derived from being true to self? Pursuing your own ends at all cost? Is it found in pleasing those around you, always bending to their will?

They say, you will only truly be happy, when you are true to yourself. They say, pursue your dreams; let nothing or no one stand in your way. Will Joy be found there?

Saul would say, “no.” That was the life he led. He was willing to put David to death for his own contentment. So overcome with selfpreservation that he could not delight in God’s anointed. Saul would die a miserably jealous and angry man.

Joy is not found from within, but from without. We find joy not by pursuing our own ends, but His. This is why Jesus prayed, “Father, may our joy be made full in themselves.” David knew this, do you?

The Morning after Mourning

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 16. (Day one)

“How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him?”–v 1.

Samuel was heartbroken by Saul’s failure. The old prophet genuinely loved the young king. Had been a passionate and prayerful supporter. Those days were now over.

With great patience, the Lord allowed Samuel the time necessary for mourning. Time to grieve. Time to recover. (Compare the Lord’s kindness to Elijah in 1 Kings 19)

Eventually, however, it is the purpose of God for Samuel (us) to accept/release what is lost and move forward with faith. “Weeping may come in the night, but joy comes in the morning”–Psalm 30:5.

A new and hopeful sunrise is coming for Israel. A new king will soon be anointed and God wants Samuel (us) to be a part of it.

Lord, give courage when this call comes to me to count as loss things that were gain, and to do so for the sake of Christ! (Philippians 3:7)

Joyful in hope

Re:Verse reading–Romans 5:1-11 (day one)

It is a powerful shift in thinking. (Repentance at its finest). In Christ, we move from “now” thinking to “someday”. We shift our values from credit and comfort and control to Kingdom. We pray for His will, His kingdom, His glory, His victory.

The result will be JOY! The New Testament connects these ideas like peanut butter and jelly. “For the JOY set before Him, He endured the cross.”–Hebrews 12:2. “Be JOYFUL in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”–Romans 12:12.

Our Re:Verse reading this week repeats this theme. “We REJOICE in the hope of the glory of God, not only this, we REJOICE in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint!” v 2-5.

Need joy in your life? Start here! Trust Christ! Lift up your head! Make decisions based on “that day”! Look forward! Joy will come. It always does.