You were created to experience joy because you are made in the image of a God who is joyful. But we have a problem finding a joy that lasts. We try to mine it from our everyday lives, our jobs, our relationships, only to find it fleeting. We need to remember:
Eternal joy unlocks everyday joy.
When we abide in Jesus, He offers us His joy, a joy that is based on being deeply connected with His Father and the Holy Spirit. He offers you this same unchanging well of joy. And when you embrace His joy in you, then, and only then, will your joy be complete.
This week, practice living the joy-filled life God has for you. Use these 4 short daily devotionals to guide you as you focus on abiding in Him this week.
Acknowledge God as the source of life
Believe that He wants to work through you
Invite the Holy Spirit to lead and empower
Dedicate your day to Him
Expect Him to work
Day 1
Prepare
Take a moment to slow down. Find a place where you can concentrate on meeting with God.
Meditate
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Today was made by God.
All of the good, all of the bad, and every moment in between is known by Him. He is in control, and nothing will happen that He has not allowed to take place. There is a deep and abiding joy that comes from knowing that He holds this day no matter what may occur. If your day is hard, take joy that He is working all things together for your good. If your day is easy, rejoice in a loving God who gives good gifts to His children.
Rejoice and be glad today, for it was made by God.
Pray
God, I acknowledge You as my source of life. I believe that You have called me Your own and desire to do Your work in and through me. Lead me in the power of Your Holy Spirit to live the life You have designed for me today. I trust in You and dedicate my day, whatever it may hold, to You. Give me eyes to see how You are at work in my life today, and may I experience joy because of it.
Day 2
Prepare
Practice the discipline of silence for a few minutes. Calm your thoughts and prepare your heart to meet with our Holy and Righteous God.
Meditate
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
You were lost, spiritually dead, and sin had a chokehold on your life. Do you remember?
But then God acted. He made known to you the path of life. Not just breathing in and breathing out, but true life. An everlasting life. You who were far off have been brought near because of the work of Jesus Christ. The sin that separated you from God has been paid for so that you could be in His presence. Find joy today in knowing that you are alive in Jesus and that you can be in His presence.
Pray
God, You are holy. Death and sin cannot stand before You. You are the source of my life and the source of my righteousness. I worship You. I believe that You want to work in and through my life today, and by Your Holy Spirit may it be so. Being in Your presence is the most important thing I will do today; may it fill me with joy and spill over into the rest of my day. I come expectantly, waiting to rejoice in You.
Day 3
Prepare
Find a place where you can practice solitude. Close down or put away any distractions that can pull your mind and heart away from a time of worship. Prepare your heart to come before God.
Meditate
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
They were underprepared and overwhelmed. They were refugees recently returned to a broken-down city. Their lives were filled with uncertainty about what the future would hold and opposition threatened to tear their fragile city apart. The people of God had returned from captivity to rebuild what was lost, but it was harder than anyone imagined it would be. Even in this dire season, they had something the enemy didn’t anticipate.
They had joy. Knowing that God was with them and that they were His people brought a joy that gave them the strength to meet the challenges facing them. The joy of the Lord can be a strength for you today. Will you receive it?
Pray
When it feels like death is all around, remind me, oh God, that You are the source of my life. You have called me Your own and You call me to enter into the life You have prepared for me. Holy Spirit, give me the wisdom to see what You have for me and the strength to pursue it. No matter what this day holds, I give it over to You. Today I trade my anxious thoughts and my weariness for the joy and the strength found in You. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear Your work in my life today.
Day 4
Prepare
Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Remind yourself that every breath you take is a gift from God to you in this moment. Thank Him for that gift.
Meditate
and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:10
There is a return coming for God’s people. On that day all that was scattered will be gathered up by Him who calls you His own and you will be with Him for eternity. The problems, the trials, the pain and the suffering will vanish in that moment.
Joy will overtake you.
Stop and reflect on what that moment will be like. How does that truth change the sorrows and the sighs of today? No matter the trials of today, there is an incredible joy found in the hope ahead for God’s people. Lift your eyes, open your heart, and see what is coming. Everlasting joy awaits.
Pray
I believe in the life everlasting. My future is secure because my life is a gift from You. As I journey from this moment until that day, I believe that You are working in and through me. Lead me in paths of righteousness through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Guide me into truth as I dedicate my day to You. Help me to see Your hand in my life today and embrace a joy that only You can give.
