December 18, 2019

Happy Wednesday. Yesterday, my daughter-in-law sent a video of my youngest grandson trying to help her vacuum. It was just funny and I laughed out loud. My most genuine laughs are not when someone tells a funny joke, but with those I share a relationship. I can laugh so hard I cry at my kids and grandkids and friends. My sister can say or do some of the craziest things that crack me up! Yet, a stranger could say the same thing and I might not even smile. 


Do you ever think about the God of the universe laughing with us? Or smiling from pure joy at us? It’s hard to imagine someone who is all-powerful just enjoying watching and being with us, but that’s what the Bible tells us about God. That He "reJOYces" and He rejoices over us. 


“As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭62:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬


The Bible uses some amazing descriptions of how much joy we give to God, using the example of the joy of a groom rejoicing over his bride with so much delight that He literally sings about us like the lover in a musical. This is a God who knows how to experience joy, and He gets particularly excited when someone comes home to Him. In fact, all of heaven joins in on the party! 


“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬


Becoming more like Jesus and growing to know God more deeply means learning to be more joyful. If we are not feeling it, remember we can trust the Holy Spirit to change our heart. Joy is all about relationships—Gods relationship with us and ours with Him. God planned for joy to be a part of our lives. 


“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬


God of joy, thank you that our relationship is one that causes you to rejoice and causes us great joy. It sometimes seems out of character when we think of you as joyful, but we know you are. Help us to know you in your fullness—all of you. Help us to rejoice in you and in your Son and in the Spirit. We rejoice in the fact you conquered death and the grave. We rejoice that you have prepared a place for us to live with you. We rejoice because you are teaching us to become more like you each day. We pray today for those who are suffering during this season and we ask you would wrap your arms around them. Let them feel your loving touch Lord and give us the words to share your love. Praise you Jehovah God. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear friend, 

Pam



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