ADVENT: Joy
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” ~ John 15:9-11, NLT
“You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” ~ Psalm 16:11, NKJV
“I lie awake thinking of You,
meditating on You through the night.
Because You are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.” ~ Psalm 63:6-7, NLT
I Need Your Promised Joy, Lord
Lord, the hustle and bustle, the chaotic fervor, and the growing darkness of this world are getting to me. I want to be still and remember You are God. Hide me beneath the shadow of Your wing where I will find Your promised joy.
For in Your presence is fullness of joy. Draw me near, Lord. Call to me and I will come.
Forgive me for the times I have taken my eyes off You and entertained thoughts not of You. This causes worry and anxiety and usually results in murmuring and complaining.
But … when I remain in Your love and stay within the sphere of Your glorious light, Your promised joy overflows my heart.
It’s not happiness — happiness is contingent on circumstances. Your joy is a deep sense of contentment and well-being that cannot be disturbed by extraneous details. Your joy flows out of who You are.
That is the joy I’m seeking — Your promised joy that is already within me because Your Holy Spirit is within me. This joy will bubble to the surface and flow into the difficult places when I abide in You and follow Your instructions.
You Are the Delight of My Heart
Help me, Lord. Help me run the race with eyes on You, in step with what You are doing, clinging to Your hand as You lead me on. You are the delight of my heart, my helper. I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.
Bless You, Lord. I give You praise for You alone are worthy of all praise.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray,
Amen — let it be so
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Please don’t carry your burdens alone. I would be honored to pray for you. You may contact me directly at nan@nanjones.com
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
