“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” - Proverbs 17:22 (ESV).
Every life has its ups and down. Sometimes there are events of misfortune that come our way regardless and leave us down. For instance, one can suffer from a personal tragedy like the loss of a loved one. In life no one is immune to upsetting events where things don’t go to plan. Just as there are good days; there are also bad days in any life.
Unfortunately there’s often a false belief that children of God are not to be subjected to upsetting events, and that where they suffer such there is something wrong on their account. Yes, it’s true that there is an enemy out there trying to steal the joy of believers. We are warned, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
However, what counts most is that for all that which might come our way to put us down we do not let the enemy rob from us complete joy. “Be on guard that your life will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will come on you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:34).
To be joyful is a condition we are called to aspire to. “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). The point here is not to deny that our lives will be faced with those events that seek to deny us of joy. After all Christ has warned us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Being joyful is one of the blessings of a Christian life. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Today, whatever maybe making you feel down, decide to be joyful. “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy one of Israel among you” (Isaiah 12:6).
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the beloved name of Jesus, that you fill my life with the joy of the Holy Spirit!
Related upcoming events
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28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
