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God's Joy

Andrea Lende • October 18, 2022

I Thessalonians 1:6 and 8

God’s Joy

 

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Gods-Joy-e1pev17

 

I Thessalonians 1:6 and 8

 

And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and of the Lord Himself, for you welcomed our message [in spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit;

 

…everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].

 

 

There was tremendous persecution against the Christians when Paul wrote this letter.

 

And yet amidst the persecution more and more people became believers.

 

The possibility of imprisonment and death was real, yet the new Christians found joy.

 

“Joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit.”

 

The Holy Spirit can grant us joy inside the difficult, the dreary, and the dread.

 

Our circumstances may not change, but our hearts will change through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Thessalonians had faith.

 

The word faith used in this passage is defined as the “leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.”

 

First, faith is trusting in the Lord’s power.

 

We must trust the Lord is still in control of our lives and of this world.

 

As soon as I find myself complaining about something happening in the world, God reminds me He is in control.

 

Psalm 75:3 says, “When the earth totters, and all the inhabitants of it, it is I Who will poise and keep steady its pillars. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”

 

Yes, God holds all the power.

 

Second, God is Wisdom, and His wisdom never fails.

 

We can rely on His wisdom today and for all our tomorrow’s.

 

Lastly, God is good.

 

God is good all the time.

 

He did not cause the chaos and messiness in our lives or in this world, but He will help us through it.

 

And He will strengthen us to move through all the difficulties because His Spirit is within us.

 

Today I ask the Holy Spirit to fill my heart with joy and the kind of unshakeable faith that permeates every part of my soul and being.

 

May you find the Holy Spirit will fill your heart joy and an increase your faith, so you are able to overcome all the difficulties you face with His peace.

 

 

Daily Prayer:

 

O Lord, thank You for filling our spirit with joy! Even during the difficult times and trials, Your Spirit is gives us joy and peace. Increase our faith, Lord. Put an extra measure of faith in our soul so we confidently lean on and rely on You for our every need. Thank You for strengthening us when we are weak and offering grace as we stumble. You keep us from falling too far away from You. May we walk in Your strength, Your power, and Your wisdom today. As Your Spirit fills us to overflowing, help us bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.

 

Answer: My Spirit of joy, strength, power, and wisdom are within you. Trust in Me.

Response: Thank You Almighty God and Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.


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