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Choosing Joy

Andrea Lende • December 5, 2022

Luke 6:20-21

Choosing Joy

 

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Choosing-Joy-e1rpvnm

 

Luke 6:20-21

And solemnly lifting up His eyes on His disciples, He said, Blessed (happy—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition—and to be envied) are you poor and lowly and afflicted (destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor), for the kingdom of God is yours!


Blessed (happy—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition—and to be envied) are you who hunger and seek with eager desire now, for you shall be filled and completely satisfied! Blessed (happy—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition—and to be envied) are you who weep and sob now, for you shall laugh!


 

Jesus gives us permission to be blessed even amidst our difficulties.

 

For years I thought we could only be downcast as we suffered.

 

Here in the book of Luke, Jesus called us blessed.

 

The kind of blessed that is filled with joy.

 

But how can we experience joy along with sadness?

 

Jesus says we are blessed with life-joy because we know we are favored by God and have eternal salvation.

 

Our joy is in knowing God made a way for us to spend eternity with Him.

 

We are here on this planet for but a moment.

 

There is only one true desire that can be fully manifested in this lifetime and that is to draw closer to the Lord.

 

The Creator of the universe offers us His love, grace, and salvation.

 

These are things we can all rejoice in as we reflect on the celebration of Jesus’ birth this Christmas season.

 

So, even if we are in the midst of trials and difficulties, we can also be filled with life-joy because we are blessed by God.

 

Today I choose joy.

 

May you find God will exchange your burdens, worries, and sadness for joy in Him.

 

Daily Prayer:

 

O Lord, thank You for making a way for us to spend eternity with You. Keep our eyes on You as the hustle and bustle of this season continues. May everything we do be done unto You, Lord. Help us release our burdens, concerns, and fears to You and exchange them for joy in You. Thank You for choosing us to be Yours. We have all we need and desire in You. Help us see the beautiful moments You provide for us as we make all things ready to celebrate the birth of Your Son. May Your peace descend upon us today. Help us bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.

 

Answer: You are Mine, and I will put My joy in you. Leave your burdens with Me.

Response: Help us surrender everything to You and receive Your joy, peace, and hope, most gracious God and Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.



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