Mysty PfefferThe gift of joy is the most satisfying element in life, and it is free.
Everyone who thirsts may come.
He who has no money may buy and eat! It has no price.
Why do we spend our money on things that are not bread and labor for things that don’t satisfy?
Isaiah says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near”
When we return to the Lord, he has compassion on us and abundantly pardons straying thoughts, selfish desires, and pride.
The Lord’s Word goes out from his mouth and does not return empty but accomplishes all that He purposes.
“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
The word of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream to reassure him the child within his virgin betrothed is indeed from God. I can only imagine the relieved joy in his heart upon hearing this news.
Mary has remained faithful to him, there is no shame in this conception. Nor is there a need to divorce her quietly. The angel says, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Mathew 1:21)
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus (Mathew 1:24).
Joseph, son of David, his thoughts whirling about how to get out of this situation is led to accept all the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name ‘Immanuel’ (which means God with us). (Mathew 1:22-23)
The gift of joy is coming through his wife, and he is privileged to raise the Son of God. How quickly his thoughts of turmoil turned to dismay and wonder!
Although righteous, he did nothing to earn this highest honor. Even though his culture shuns the unknown circumstances of Jesus’ birth, and may question the purity of his bride, the gift of joy overrides doubt.
What gift of joy overrides the fear and doubt in your life today?
Let God’s thoughts over you and His reassurance of who you are in Him be the gift of joy in your heart today. Your spiritual health and wellness are of great importance to Him, and to me! Jesus came so we may have life abundantly, here on earth and eternally.
What needs to take place for you to experience joy for a lifetime? King David may have some ideas for you and me today.
A Gift of Joy for a Lifetime
I will shout to the heavens over you Lord, for you have pulled my face away from anxiety, fear, pain, and illness.
When I cry to you for help, you heal me.
You take my soul from the pit of hell and restore life to me.
I sing praises to you among my brothers and sisters in Christ and give thanks to your holy name, because your anger is but for a moment, and your favor is for a lifetime.
“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b)
I take king David’s words of song in dedication to the temple and put them in my own words because God is worthy of extolling praise and has taken my drawn face out of the pit many times.
The foes of doubt, never measuring up, not being accepted fully by those I love, and physical infirmary pale in comparison to the gift of joy coming when all God’s plan is fulfilled.
The lowly shepherds relate to my occasional feelings of being the outcast. Taking care of animals night and day would be a low position in society. However, it is thought the shepherds keeping watch over the flock by night were assigned to care for the sacrificial lamb to be slain (Wilson, 2012).
The perfect spotless lamb had to remain free of injury for the coming sacrifice. A heavenly calling and important job requiring diligence and commitment brought the angel of the Lord to their presence.
What has your face drawn and downcast today?
Pray this with me today:
God there is an emptiness on my heart that can only be filled by you. The loss of my loved one runs deep and at times sadness pulls me into a pit. Lord, please take my weeping and turn it to joy. I praise you for giving me the true spotless lamb who sacrificed all for me and restores life to me. I look forward to the day when I can rejoice with the one, I’m temporarily separated from, because we share a deeper eternal joy surpassing this lifetime. Give me the strength to continue your heavenly calling on my life that I may pursue you with diligence and commitment as the shepherds did.
In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Conviction, A Gift of Joy
Another surprising way God has of bringing us joy is conviction!
Although conviction has a way of bringing remorse and sorrow, once its power grieves the heart enough to seek repentance, there is a gift of joy-filled relief.
There is no more bearing the weight of guilt and shame.
In its place is the ability to say goodbye to selfishness that prevents healing in relationships. Conviction is bittersweet truth bringing lasting comfort, only the Word made flesh can do.
I see the nation of Israel under conviction in Nehemiah chapter 8. After seventy years of captivity, they are allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its wall of protection.
On the day of completion all the people were gathered to hear the reading of the law (God’s Word). Many are hearing it for the first time and raising their hands in worship.
As the priests move among them explaining the words, Israel is moved to weeping and mourning their sin.
{And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9-10}
Nehemiah 8:9-10 ESV – This Day Is Holy – And Nehemiah, who – Bible Gateway
The night of Jesus’ birth the lowly shepherds witnessed a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, among those whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2;14)
Elevated to a position of grace and favor, they made haste to find the baby lying in a manger. “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them.”
God wants to restore you and I to the place of grace and honor too.
He makes a way for us, just like he did Israel and the lowly shepherds. It is through the Word made flesh, Jesus.
Once we see and understand this, the joy of the Lord becomes our strength. Conviction, my friend, is the gift that brings us to Him.
May He be your strength today! I look forward to serving you and helping you simplify your health physically and spiritually. Contact me for your next women’s event for speaking or teaching!
Mysty
RN Health & Wellness Coach
Simplifying Health God’s Way
