Joy in the Discovery

Joy in the Discovery

Review joy vs. happiness:

Review the idols in our lives that are the joy stealers.

Joy in the discovery is learning who God is. He is not the deistic God who created and left. He is not the non-active God who did the salvation thing but left us on our own to fight out this planet. 

Psalm 27:13-14 NASB

I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:13 NIV

I remain confident of this:

    I will see the goodness of the Lord

    in the land of the living.

The joy of learning that God is not only loving and intentional, but active in our lives brings a hope that allows us to get through many of the difficulties we face. 

Analogy paycheck to paycheck, Thursday is here waiting on Friday. You know Friday will bring provision so you can get through Thursday with the hope of what’s coming. 

God is not the magic genie that gives us what we want, but he is a loving Father who knows what we need. His provision is based on his knowledge not our desires. But when that first struggle goes through, and we see him work, or the knowledge of him working in other’s lives, or reading in his word how he will continue to walk through the dark valley with us, through the proverbial (and even literal) flames with us gives us a hope unmatched. This hope builds the joy in our lives. 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.