Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them…
Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?…
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love…indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8: 28, 34-35, 37-39 (NLT)“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12: 1b-2 (NIV)“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Nehemiah 8: 10 (NLT)
We’ve all had those days where we feel the sunlight isn’t shining on us.
Where our thoughts seem to be clouded by one problem, obstacle, conflict, shortfall, problem, uncertainty after another.
With no clear and straight path ahead. Where it seems that God is not around.
Days where joy is missing from our lives.
A few years ago, Lynda and I were in North Carolina. While we were there, my focus was on a multitude of issues affecting members of her family. I had allowed them to occupy my attention to the exclusion of anything, or anyone else.
After a few days, and late one afternoon, Lynda stopped me in the dining room, lovingly held my shoulders with both hands, looked straight into my eyes and said— sweetly, but very directly— “Scott, I don’t see the usual joy in your face anymore.”
She was right. And I knew she was right as soon as the words tumbled out of her mouth.
In that moment, something moved me to sit near the front room window, and begin to read from the book of Romans, chapter 8— “…for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us…Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?…I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love…”
The amazing grace of the Lamb of God, bearing all my sin and shame, giving His life on the cross. His love for me. And you. And with that, to live out His call on our lives to love and lift the world around us.
And then Hebrews, chapter 12— “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross…” Enduring the cross for you and me, to then sit at the right hand of His Father. With our eyes fixed on Christ.
And something I read also pointed me to the book of Nehemiah, chapter 8— “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Notice that it doesn’t say that exercise, or hard work is your strength, or great accomplishments, money, winning, awards, and recognition, are your strength.
It doesn’t even say that “joy,” itself, is your strength.
What it says is that the “joy of the Lord,” the joy that comes from our relationship with the Lord is our strength. The joy from what the Lamb of God did for us, to enable us to have that relationship of joy, and of hope, power, peace with Him.
The love of God, sending Christ, the Lamb of God, to the cross for me. And for you.
As said so well in the words of the anthem “Worthy Is The Lamb” written by Darlene Zschech of Hillsong Worship. Words like these—
“Thank You for the cross, Lord, thank You for the price You paid.
Bearing all my sin and shame, in love You came,
And gave amazing grace.
Thank You for this love, Lord, thank You for the nail pierced hands.
Washed me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know,
Your forgiveness and embrace.
Worthy is the Lamb, seated on the throne.
Crown You now with many crowns, You reign victorious.
High and lifted up, Jesus Son of God.
The Darling of Heaven crucified.
Worthy is The Lamb, Worthy is The Lamb…”
Sunshine for you and for me—found in the Joy of The Lord.
Nothing can separate us from His love.
Nothing should ever separate us from the joy found in The Lamb of God.
In His Name–Scott
You will find joy watching and listening to this video of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing “Worthy Is The Lamb.”