Want joy?

Joy. Sometimes it can seem an elusive thing, but it doesn't have to be. Joy is an internal condition, not influenced by external conditions.

Joy and faith go hand in hand. When we take shelter in the Rock of our salvation, with a quiet assurance in our hearts that He is in control, how can we not have joy?

Psalm 16:11 is a prayer, a praise and an affirmation of faith all rolled into one short verse.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

If our joy is lacking, it's not because God failed to supply it. He didn't go anywhere. He has promised to never leave us. If our joy is lacking, it's because we have failed to spend time with the Source of true joy.

Want joy? Spend time in His presence.

Wondrous Things

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalm 119:18).

No matter how many times you've read God's Word, there are still wondrous things waiting for you withing its pages.

When David wrote Psalm 119, he was not unfamiliar with the contents of the Word of God available to him at that time. He was raised in the Word. It was part of his every day life, as it should be ours. He heard the Word in the temple. He heard the Word at home. He spent time meditating on the truths God revealed to him through it.

David's desire was to know God and his Word today more intimately than yesterday. He wanted God to open his eyes so that he could behold wondrous things - the wonders of who God is, the the wonders of His grace and the wonders of His love.

In Hebrews 4:12, we learn that "the word of God is quick, and powerful," which it most certainly is. Other translations render that verse a little differently, saying "the word of God is living and active" (ESV).

The Word of God will come to life in our hearts as we ask Him to open our eyes and show us wondrous things. Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." The Holy Spirit breathed out the Word of God and moved upon men to write the wondrous things He revealed to them. He causes the Word to come alive in our hearts, to teach us and to cause His wondrous truth to be lived out through us. 

Do you want to behold wondrous things in the Word of God? Ask Him to open your eyes and be ready to receive the wondrous things He wants to reveal to you.

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalm 119:18).

Keep a Firm Grip

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (Hebrews 2:1).

Memory is a funny thing. Some events, people and places from my childhood will never be forgotten. Some have slipped away almost completely.

Did you know there are things God has told us that He has admonished us to remember and not let them slip away? He tells us to "give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Another translation relates it this way:

It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don’t drift off.  (Hebrews 2:1 MSG).

Keep a firm grip. Give the more earnest heed. To what? Hebrews 2 begins with a "therefore," so we need to look back in the context to see what it's there for.

The previous verse speaks of angels and while it is important to know their purpose, there are more important truths God wants us to keep a firm grip on. We have to look back at the entire thought of Hebrews 1 to see what's going on in the beginning of chapter 2.

Hebrews chapter 1 is filled with great truths concerning Jesus Christ. Therein, Jesus is revealed as:

• The Sovereign creator of the universe.
• The brightness of the Father's glory.
• The "express image of his person."
• The One who rules over all by "the word of his power."
• The atoning sacrifice for our sins.
• The One who is seated "the right hand of the Majesty on high."

Jesus, God manifested in flesh, the King of Kings and Lord of lords, the Lamb of God and Ruler of all gave His life for ours. Jesus paid it all. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."

Because of all He has done for us, "It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don’t drift off"  (Hebrews 2:1 MSG).

Keep a firm grip. In other words, don't forget what He has done for you. Don't "neglect so great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3).

Hang on to and live in the truth. Don't forget what He has done for you. Don't let it slip away.

Keep a firm grip.