Isaiah 61:7 "Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice ... everlasting joy will be theirs."
Do you have everlasting joy? Now before you start feeling guilty about a lack of joy, you should remember this: Happiness is a surface emotion, dependent upon circumstances. Joy is a deep sense of serenity that endures, whatever the circumstances.
Through the extremes of our mood swings, and regardless of circumstances in life, God remains the same. His saving love toward us in Christ Jesus is constant. His promises hold true. His assurance of victory through our Savior, risen from the dead, always stands.
Our degree of feeling close to God can vary a great deal, but our moods and emotions may have little to do with God's truth. Satan tries to undermine the reality of our faith by planting doubts. But our hope is fixed firmly in the accomplished reality of Jesus' life, death for our sins, and resurrection. Nothing can change that fact. The joy we have as His redeemed people is a lasting reality; it is for eternity!
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for never changing, despite our unstable feelings and despite the changing circumstances in our life. Thank You for providing us with a double portion of Your blessings and everlasting joy -- a joy that cannot be taken from us. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 12-13 Matthew 26:1-35
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