Snippets of Joy

As I look back over my life, I find satisfaction in the snippets of joy that I remember. Admittedly, some joyful times last much longer than a short snippet, like marrying my beautiful and loving wife. Then there has been the birth of three children and six grandchildren that still bring joy to my heart. But there have also been snippets and longer times where joy was hard to find. Certain trials are not remembered so fondly. But even in the midst of these so called bad times, if I look closely and remember correctly, I find joy peeking out from beyond the clouds. God has been able to sustain me through the bad times and bring me to a place of healing and hope with real joy.

Psalm 4:7 says, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” We find more joy in God than the world can ever offer us. Rejoice in all that the Lord has provided to you. Praise Him for His grace and mercy through the ups and downs of life.

Hope That Enlivens

In our culture, the word “hope” has fague meaning and usefulness. We use hope to describe the feeling that we want some future good thing to happen, but we also mean that we are not convinced that this good thing will happen the way that we want it to. When God speaks of “hope” in the Bible, He uses it to mean a sure thing based upon His character and power.

Romans 5:5 says, “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” God gives us a hope that enlivens, rejuvenates, and encourages us. Our hope is secure through the Holy Spirit living in us and enables us to bring lasting hope to a hopeless world.

Score Cards Don’t Tell the True Story

In the Olympics, judges in ice skating and gymnastics give scores to the contestants. These are subjective ratings from qualified professionals, but they may not reflect the skills and performance of the contestants. We, also, get score cards throughout our lives. We receive report cards in school that speak to how we performed in each class. The scoreboard reflects how our team or we, as individuals, performed in a specific contest. Friends may come and go depending on how we perform in relationships.

I Corinthians 15:56-57 says, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” No matter what the scoreboard or the report card or others say about us, we are victorious over sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ. The only true and final scorecard is determined by our relationship with Jesus Christ. If we trust Him for salvation and redemption, then He has already made us victorious in life and over death.

Plans Fizzle

How many times do we make plans and they don’t work out as we thought? This happens to me all the time. I am a great idea guy but the follow through is weak. While I am just one person, we can see the same thing happen on a national and global level. Governments come up with grand plans and make big announcements. But when the execution of these plans come up against opposition or obstacles, the best plans can come undone.

Psalm 33:10-11 says, “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” Our plans change like the winds, but God’s plans never change. His wisdom remains true forever. You do well to seek and follow the Lord’s plans and wisdom.

Never Changes

My opinions can change over time and most have. Relationships change over time and may become more or less intimate. Laws change, politics change, social norms change, fashion changes, and the economic environment certainly changes. But God never changes. He has no need or desire to change, as He is, was, and always will be perfect.

Psalm 32:10 says, “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.” God offers His steadfast love to anyone who trusts in Him. We can be assured of His love for us, because He doesn’t change and cannot be moved away from us. This is another blessing from God that we should share with others; love that never changes.