God created the earth to have days, seasons, and years. Not every day is the same, and one season may be preferred over another. The memories of times past should never be permitted to overshadow the start of a new day, a new season which holds great promise for all those who hope in God. Instead of lamenting what we can no longer do as the flower of youth fades, we can glory in the strength of God who sustains us and will present us without fault before the throne of God with exceeding joy.
I have heard many people speak disparagingly of the year 2020, yet it is a year comprised of days God has made. It is true in Australia we have seen fires, floods, a pandemic, and a recession. These trying circumstances do nothing to take the shine from our great God and the wondrous plans He has for all who love and trust Him. If they do in our eyes it is evidence things other than God have clouded our vision and purpose. In our gracious God there is always cause to be glad and experience fullness of joy despite a bleak economic forecast or failing health. Though our outer man is perishing, God is faithful to renew our inner man day by day (2 Cor. 4:16).
The fullness of joy we receive from God is not received by burying our heads in the sand and ignoring the problems of the world: it is when we look beyond what puts us in fear and look upon Jesus Christ with eyes of faith we find rest for our souls. Joshua and Caleb's hearts did not fail them when they saw giants and fortifications because they remembered God's promise. David did not run from the cursing Philistine who defied the armies of God because He remembered how God had delivered him in the past. Years later when angry men spoke of stoning because they blamed him for the loss of their families and goods he strengthened himself in the LORD who put His Spirit upon him. When King Hezekiah received threatening letters he spread them before the LORD, and when King Jehoshaphat heard a great army had been assembled against him he could not defeat his eyes turned to God who fights for His people.
Oh, that we would rejoice and receive the peace God graciously gives us! Sandwiched within a passage loaded with prophetic references to Jesus Christ the Son of God, those who fear God are exhorted to rejoice and through Jesus are free to! Quoting Psalm 118:19-29: "Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD,through which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 27 God is the LORD, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise You; you are my God, I will exalt You. 29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! for His mercy endures forever."
In context the day spoken of here alludes to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. For the joy that was set before Him Jesus enduring the cross, despised the shame, and is set on the right hand of the Father. We are to consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself lest we be weary or discouraged in our minds (Hebrews 12:1-3). Happy is the man who blesses the LORD at all times, for at all times God is good.
I have heard many people speak disparagingly of the year 2020, yet it is a year comprised of days God has made. It is true in Australia we have seen fires, floods, a pandemic, and a recession. These trying circumstances do nothing to take the shine from our great God and the wondrous plans He has for all who love and trust Him. If they do in our eyes it is evidence things other than God have clouded our vision and purpose. In our gracious God there is always cause to be glad and experience fullness of joy despite a bleak economic forecast or failing health. Though our outer man is perishing, God is faithful to renew our inner man day by day (2 Cor. 4:16).
The fullness of joy we receive from God is not received by burying our heads in the sand and ignoring the problems of the world: it is when we look beyond what puts us in fear and look upon Jesus Christ with eyes of faith we find rest for our souls. Joshua and Caleb's hearts did not fail them when they saw giants and fortifications because they remembered God's promise. David did not run from the cursing Philistine who defied the armies of God because He remembered how God had delivered him in the past. Years later when angry men spoke of stoning because they blamed him for the loss of their families and goods he strengthened himself in the LORD who put His Spirit upon him. When King Hezekiah received threatening letters he spread them before the LORD, and when King Jehoshaphat heard a great army had been assembled against him he could not defeat his eyes turned to God who fights for His people.
Oh, that we would rejoice and receive the peace God graciously gives us! Sandwiched within a passage loaded with prophetic references to Jesus Christ the Son of God, those who fear God are exhorted to rejoice and through Jesus are free to! Quoting Psalm 118:19-29: "Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD,through which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 27 God is the LORD, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise You; you are my God, I will exalt You. 29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! for His mercy endures forever."
In context the day spoken of here alludes to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. For the joy that was set before Him Jesus enduring the cross, despised the shame, and is set on the right hand of the Father. We are to consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself lest we be weary or discouraged in our minds (Hebrews 12:1-3). Happy is the man who blesses the LORD at all times, for at all times God is good.
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