May 24 – Unbounded Grace

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” -  Romans 5:1-2 (NASB)

Day to day we may not, very often, think about the grace in which we stand. Considering that grace in our lives is pretty much limited to the word “gracious” which, means kind, polite, civil, tactful, and courteous. Grace, however, is much more than politeness or civil behavior. Our promise in today’s verse is powerful because it explains what grace brings to us. Because of the grace God has for us we, who in faith believe in Jesus and His words, have been justified. Notice the “have been” there? It is past, it is a done deal. Being justified provides for us peace with God which is also by grace, our possession. We have such a possession of peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and it is through Christ we were introduced by faith into this marvelous grace. We really need to think about this deeply and frequently. It is a gift which continues to develop into more gifts from God. The last promise is hope, and hope is ours because of what God has fully done for us by grace. It a hope for which we can triumph in the glory of God.  

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April 19 – Penetrating Question

“Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” -  Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NASB)

Our verse comes from the book of Habakkuk. We find promises that are apropos to our times. On today’s social media, we may encounter a good deal of complaining about how “things aren’t how they used to be or should be.” And the appeal of many is “How do we get back to the way it was?” This was the prophet Habakkuk’s complaint. Sin was abounding (just as today) and God seemed both indifferent and idle to Habakkuk. He questions if it was God who was to blame? “Why do You make me look at injustice?” (Habakkuk 1:3 NASB) He doubles down with an even greater question for God: “Why do You tolerate wrong?” (Habakkuk 1:13 NASB) Does this sound like the cry of many modern Christians?. “Why is God allowing the destruction of our country?” Mostly we blame the other side of the political divide. Habakkuk describes dire circumstances (v.16-17) for himself and Israel.  But he doesn’t state that he would merely endure this distress. He sets our example and said he would rejoice in the Lord and be joyful. God is the inexhaustible source and infinite supply of joy. God my Savior is literally, “the God of my salvation.”

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September 18 – One Develops Another

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Romans 5:3-5 (NASB)

Our verse is from the book of Romans, a letter written by Paul to the faith believers in Rome.  Paul hoped to go to Rome as some time in his future. Eventually he does but not as a free man. Paul faced many tribulations (sufferings) in his life and here he says we are to exult (rejoice) when they come. This passage presents a chain of results or effects for us when we obediently rejoice in our sufferings.  Like the book of James instructs us to consider it all joy when trials come in our path. (James 1:2-4). Here, we should already know that tribulations are an opportunity to persevere in our faith. That proves our character which brings a hope that does not disappoint or cause us shame because it will always be fulfilled.  How do we know hope from tribulations and trials won’t make us appear silly, or put us to shame?  We know because it comes from the love poured out and into our hearts from God’s Holy Spirit.  It is He who has given us the opportunity to rejoice in  tribulations. We have a bundled blessing. Sufferings produces Perseverance produces Proven Character produces Sure Hope.

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August 14 – Regardless Of Our Circumstances

“Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NASB)

We might think we find happiness from the things in the world, and when things are going our way, we find ourselves glad. But such things do not last. Today’s verses might sound like circumstances many are facing these days.  Many have been decimated by the effects of the choices which authorities have made to manage the health crisis at the world’s door*.  Our verse is from a prayer written by the prophet Habakkuk in an Old Testament book of the same name. It mentions the possibility of severe hardships we might face. When we do, faith becomes a matter of devoted allegiance to our God.  It is then we must have confidence in Him regardless of our circumstances.  The promise for us here is that Our Lord is a source of real joy for those who know Him.  Our circumstances change and when they do, let's  say, along with Habakkuk, that although all our resources and reserves are gone, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord” Lasting joy is found in trusting the Lord. The prophet experienced this true joy and that why he wrote this prayer.

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* Coronavirus disease 2019 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.  It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei, China, and has resulted in an ongoing pandemic as of the date of this posting.

March 30 – Exulting in Our Rejoicing

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”  - Psalm 5:11 (ESV)

The words of the verse we take up for consideration today may well be an instruction as much as it is a promise.  Those who take refuge in the LORD are those who rejoice, sing for joy.  There is really much true joy for those who do not reject God. Singing for joy is the instruction and then the promise is God spreading His protection over them.  Are we among those who take refuge in the LORD?  We think correctly that we are if we have come to God in an attitude of repentance seeking forgiveness and salvation.  That is the refuge we receive when we come to the LORD.  The result of taking this refuge is naturally to rejoice for our hearts and lives are filled with peace and joy and assurance that God has covered us with His protection from evil.  We begin to love His name and grow in that love as we meditate and learn from His word.  It is us, the ones who love the name of the LORD that exult in God.  Exulting is the act of rejoicing – being so joyful that it bubbles out.  

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September 18 – The Real Safe Place

“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.” Psalm 5:11 (NASB)

We are promised that when we trust the Lord, He actively responds. In our verse today we learn that the result is joy and gladness. When we recognize that we are safe, that brings joy. Refuge is a place of safety.  We have a promised refuge in our spiritual lives as Jesus followers.   It is so good to know that our God takes care of those who seek His help. When one of God's children takes refuge in Him, how is that done?  We find refuge in God when we have faith in His word and believe what He has promised.  Today's verse teaches us about two results from taking refuge in Him.  We rejoice with gladness and sing for joy.  God also shelters us and spreads protection over us.  These two expressions are similar, speaking of the from two different perspectives. We are reminded that we can seek refuge in the Lord and we notice that when we do trust God and His promises we have another cause for rejoicing.  Today let us seek refuge in Him.   

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January 7 – His Love Quiets

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

From the writings of the Old Testament prophet Zephaniah we can learn about how God thinks of His people just as was expressed in those days.  God has made us His people through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  We are assured that God is in our midst and we are not alone and  on our own.  We are also assured that God is mighty, He is victorious and He has saved us.  God takes great delight in those of us who love Him and who have trusted Him for their salvation and eternal life.  God is with us to quiet us when we are disturbed by our circumstances and upset and he does this with His lovingkindness.  God loves us and exults over us because of the peace He has brought into our lives.  His presences means so much to us.  Let's embrace this promise.   

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July 1 – Heart Help

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.”  Psalm 28:7 (NASB)

This is a beautiful testimony by the psalmist David. He had learned a very special lesson and he wanted others to learn it too. That's why he sang these words and made his song available for others to sing it too.  We don't sing the psalms much in our time but that was how they were shared in the time they were written. These words expressed David's faith and an experience that we can have in our Christian lives today.  I'm thinking especially of what happens when we trust the Lord with our whole heart.  As we trust Him He responds by giving us the help we need.  We may sometimes need spiritual strength to face some special problems. If we trust the Lord for this strength He does help. Or, it may be we need help and protection just for everyday living. Believers are under assault more than ever.  We can always say with David, “My heart trusts in Him and I am helped.”  It is a promise, that He is our strength and shield.

February 19 – Shouts of Joy Over Us

“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB)

Today's verse gives us several precious promises. These promises were given to God's people long ago through the prophet Zephaniah. They are true promises for us as well.  This is a message about a very personal God who takes a very personal interest in His people. To think that the great God who controls the universe would take great delight in His human creatures. We are each so small in comparison with God’s greatness and yet He rejoices over each of us, His children.  We must remember, of course, that what makes God rejoice is to have His people trust Him and obey Him and live close to Him each day. When our first desire is to please Him then He is pleased. Then it will be true as our verse says, He will take great delight in you. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Imagine that – what a wonderful promise to carry today.