Joy – Feed 4 Sheep

HIGHLIGHT

Isaiah 49:13 (ESV): 13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

EXPLAIN

At Isaiah 49:8, God began to speak of the restoration of Israel. He pictured the people as captives freed, who would walk down the highway to their homeland. The sun and wind would not scorch them. They would find good in the land as they went. God himself would lead them.

And so God told the heavens and the mountains to sing for joy.

But in verse 14 God spoke of the people’s response at hearing this promise. They would say God had forgotten them. God answered in return that just like a mother cannot forget her baby, so God could not forget his people.

APPLY

For various reasons, we may think at times that God has forgotten us. But we can know that this is not true. Rather, we can sing for joy for the comfort God will bring to us.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, in times of testing and trial keep our faith in you strong. Help us to remember how you have dealt with your people through the ages and may we look to you expectantly, with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 112:1–2 (ESV): 112 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

EXPLAIN

This is a beautiful psalm of encouragement for those who live for God. There are multiple promises for the upright: his children and grandchildren will be influential in the land, his estate will be wealthy, he will be secure, he will not worry when bad news arrives, and he will be honored.

Of course, such scriptures like this must be understood in context – in context with the whole of scriptural teaching as well as its own particular context.

We understand that God does not promise that following him is the path to success, prosperity, power and position. Jesus said we must take up our cross and follow him.

Furthermore, this psalm identifies this blessed man as one who is “gracious, merciful, and righteous” (v. 4), who is generous with others and lends freely, conducting his affairs with justice, giving freely to others, especially the poor.

The last verse provides a stark contrast: the wicked man who looks on with anger and jealousy at the blessed, righteous man. Yet “the desire of the wicked will perish” (v. 10).

APPLY

It is a mistake to approach living for Jesus as a means to “get rich” or “be successful” in life. Yet those who surrender themselves to God’s will find true blessing in life.

The rich young rulers, afraid to trust God and sell all they have to follow Jesus, walk away sad. But the one who submits all to the lordship of King Jesus lives the “good life”!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, my desire in life is to know Jesus fully. Thank you for the many blessings you pour upon me as I seek to live in the center of your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tag: Joy

Sing for joy

The good life