SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

SEPTEMBER 1 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: PSALM 34:8-14

For we Christians our joy is not tied to our circumstances or situation, but to the fact that we belong to Christ Jesus. He came to give us joy unspeakable. Joy is not being apathetic in

the midst of hard times; it is knowing that you belong to God and that He is ever present, to be all you need Him to be in all things. Joy is the result of a life of faith where we know

deep down inside that God is in control...that He has our to day and all our tomorrows. The genuine joy of Christ is able to be caring, concerned and active in all the events of life, yet at

the same time to be able to rest in the Lord and trust Him with the results. This joy knows that the promise of God is greater than all life's hurts, disappointments, challenges, bad

news and losses.

In Hebrews 12:2 it says of Jesus, “...who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross..." I am sure we would agree that there is nothing joyful about being put on the

cross. It was a place of death through great physical suffering and for Jesus it was the place where He would experience the punishment from His Father for our sin. No, the cross was not a joy, but Jesus endured it for the joy that was set before Him. He found joy in our redemption. He found joy in taking our place so we would never have to suffer the judgment of our sin. He found joy in making us right with God again. The cross was agonizing...but the joy of its finished work was greater. Jesus knew perfectly that it was not His situation or the circumstances of what He went through that were the source of His joy. It was His relationship with His Father, it was being in God's perfect will, it was pouring Himself out for others. May today we rest in the joy of the Lord...let's not let circumstances rob us of that joy...let's rejoice in the Lord always!

Please share your thoughts.