Oct 6

Be Glad and Rejoice

"Be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things." Joel 2:21

What is it that you focus on in your life? Do you focus on the negative? Joel gives us an important truth in this Scripture. We have much to be grateful for. We are to be glad and rejoice; not necessarily because our lives are filled with blessings, though for many of us they are. The reason for the joy in our lives is because of what great things God has done and is doing in our lives. Think about that for a moment. Did God leave you in your sins? Did he not provide for you a Savior? Did he not give you His Son to take your place in sin? Did He not raise Jesus from the dead and give all mankind the promise of the resurrection? Has God begun in you a work you could not do alone? Has God not promised to complete that work in you? Has God been faithful to you in your struggles in life? Has God stood by you when you failed Him? Has God lifted you up over and over again and cleaned you up and let you start again? Is not your life full of grace and mercy? Do you deserve any of it? God has over and over again showed us His faithfulness. He has done amazing things in our lives. He is changing us into Christ daily. He has broken us that we might be drawn closer to Him. All that comes into our lives is for our eternal good. Focus on that. Focus on what He has done and is doing. Surely the LORD has done great things for you and He will continue to do them until that day when you meet Him face to face. What other choice is there then but to be glad and rejoice?

 Father, how we thank you for your hand in our lives. Our narrow vision hides you from sight so often. We have no concept of how much you are working in our lives. We can see your hand if we will only look for it. You have made us grow. You have broken us that we might know you. Help us to focus on that. Give us a joyful heart, a heart that will give you glory and honor no matter our circumstances. Surely you have done great things in our lives and you will continue to do so. For that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Amen