I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end.
I Am Found In You
by
Steven Curtis Chapman
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
“I’ve got joy like a river, I’ve got joy like a river. I’ve got joy like a river in my soul.”
Could that be your song today? I didn’t ask if you had any problems, I ask if you had joy. When Jesus walked upon this earth, He didn’t walk in triumph, He walked often in pain. His ministry days were marred by strife. He faced persecution and temptation. He battled the evil of the world. He remained sinless, but His days were often tearful. Still, in the midst of His trials, the joy in His heart never departed. Jesus often said, “yes, Lord, for this is Your good pleasure”, and “that My joy may be in you.”
Recently I surveyed my Sunday School class. Since it is a rather large and diverse class, the statistical relevance to the rest of the church is rather significant. One question I asked is “are you presently going through a trial in your life?”. I’m sad to report that 53% sad they definitely are and 22% said they may be. That’s 75%, for those who don’t have a calculator handy! Chances are, as this MST is read today, 75% of the readers are, or may be, going through some sort of trial right now. So, I know these words are not falling upon deaf ears! People are hurting!
I’m not asking if you are in a trial. I’m asking if you have joy. You see, the fruit of the Spirit, which lives within you who are saved, promises that you can share in the joy of Christ. You have a hope that this world cannot take away. Right now you are suffering, but later on, in God’s perfect timing, you will reap a great harvest. God will restore you and make you whole again! That is the reason for your joy! Your joy is not in this world, it is in Jesus!
Do you have joy today? You should…if you know Jesus!
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