"Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good." Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Joy according to this definition is from the mind, not external sources. The mind is focused on the present possession of good (salvation) and assured approaching possession (our blessed hope of Christ's return). I love the simplicity of it.
Joy is not equal to happiness.... it is not based on what we get in this world but what we have in Christ. We have been predestined, adopted as sons, set apart, redeemed, forgiven. We are joint heirs with Jesus, children of the King. (Ephesians 1)
When I consider these things, I begin to understand true joy; joy that cannot be shaken, taken, or erased. Praise God for His indescribable gifts!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Glorious Things
"See the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love,
Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove:
Who can faint, while such a river ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, never fails from age to age."
Recently in church we sang "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken", which was new to me. As I focused on the hymn, I was struck by the second verse. There were four elements that caught my attention and reached my heart.
1) Streams of living waters which spring from eternal love.
Imagine that! Streams (not trickles) of living (not dead) water - active, vibrant, and life giving water. It's source? Eternal love - that is an endless supply - it springs from the love of God which does what is best for the receiver.
2) Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want removed.
The living water supply is abundant - it well supplies all of God's sons and daughters. It is so abundant that it banishes fear of not having enough. It leaves no room for want or worry.
3) Who can faint, while such a river ever will their thirst assuage?
How can it be that we grow faint and weary when we have access to an eternal river that fully satisfies all our thirst - emotionally and spiritually? That river EVER abundantly meets our thirst to the full, it never falls short of being completely able to quench our thirst.
4) Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, never fails from age to age.
Grace never fails because it's Author, our Lord, never fails. One of God's qualities noted here is the Giver. We don't get it, He gives it. Grace is from Him to us - unmerited favor - and it will NEVER fail. God's grace is limitless, powerful, and overarches all our sins. Thank you Jesus.
God in His ever persistent, yet gentle way, used this hymn to refocus my thirsty soul back to it's source. I pray it "rehydrates" your thirsty soul too. To God be the glory!
Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove:
Who can faint, while such a river ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, never fails from age to age."
Recently in church we sang "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken", which was new to me. As I focused on the hymn, I was struck by the second verse. There were four elements that caught my attention and reached my heart.
1) Streams of living waters which spring from eternal love.
Imagine that! Streams (not trickles) of living (not dead) water - active, vibrant, and life giving water. It's source? Eternal love - that is an endless supply - it springs from the love of God which does what is best for the receiver.
2) Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want removed.
The living water supply is abundant - it well supplies all of God's sons and daughters. It is so abundant that it banishes fear of not having enough. It leaves no room for want or worry.
3) Who can faint, while such a river ever will their thirst assuage?
How can it be that we grow faint and weary when we have access to an eternal river that fully satisfies all our thirst - emotionally and spiritually? That river EVER abundantly meets our thirst to the full, it never falls short of being completely able to quench our thirst.
4) Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver, never fails from age to age.
Grace never fails because it's Author, our Lord, never fails. One of God's qualities noted here is the Giver. We don't get it, He gives it. Grace is from Him to us - unmerited favor - and it will NEVER fail. God's grace is limitless, powerful, and overarches all our sins. Thank you Jesus.
God in His ever persistent, yet gentle way, used this hymn to refocus my thirsty soul back to it's source. I pray it "rehydrates" your thirsty soul too. To God be the glory!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Affliction
Growing up I was very close to my grandparents. My grandma had Multiple Sclerosis and was eventually confined to a wheelchair. As I grew up in strength and years, my grandma grew weaker and less able to care for herself. Eventually she lost the ability to use her arms and hands which meant she was totally dependent on those around her for simple every day tasks and needs. One very distinct memory of mine is of her sharing a verse from scripture over and over, "I know, O LORD, that Your judgements are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Ps. 119:75
For years I have thought about that verse and my grandma's attachment to it. Lately it has been in the forefront of my mind too. The afflictions in life can be the means that demonstrate God's faithfulness... God in His faithfulness allows afflictions in order to refine us, purify us, and glorify Himself. God, in His wisdom, knows what we need in order to become more like Him, to become more equipped to serve Him. Affliction, when entrusted to the mighty hand of God, yields results that far outweigh the struggle of the challenge itself. It is then that I begin to know God's faithfulness.
In Ps. 119:71 the Psalmist states, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Pondering this verse, I realized that during times of trials and affliction I am more prone to run to the Word of God for comfort and guidance. The dominating theme (context) of Psalm 119 is the Word, a deep longing for it. The psalmist uses eight different terms to refer to scripture: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgements, word, and ordinances. He obviously understood the value of God's word and it's vital purpose in life.
Romans 8:18 tells us, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. "
For years I have thought about that verse and my grandma's attachment to it. Lately it has been in the forefront of my mind too. The afflictions in life can be the means that demonstrate God's faithfulness... God in His faithfulness allows afflictions in order to refine us, purify us, and glorify Himself. God, in His wisdom, knows what we need in order to become more like Him, to become more equipped to serve Him. Affliction, when entrusted to the mighty hand of God, yields results that far outweigh the struggle of the challenge itself. It is then that I begin to know God's faithfulness.
In Ps. 119:71 the Psalmist states, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Pondering this verse, I realized that during times of trials and affliction I am more prone to run to the Word of God for comfort and guidance. The dominating theme (context) of Psalm 119 is the Word, a deep longing for it. The psalmist uses eight different terms to refer to scripture: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgements, word, and ordinances. He obviously understood the value of God's word and it's vital purpose in life.
Romans 8:18 tells us, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. "
Lord, may I consider my earthly trials and afflictions as nothing compared to Your glory and the glory that is to be revealed in me through them. Amen.
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