The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 6:22,
"For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel."
The Lord caused joy among the returnees to Jerusalem because, as we read, the Lord had intervened by changing the attitude of King Darius resulting in the rebuilding of the temple.
When God works, there should be a tremendous heartfelt joy in the lives of his people. There could not possibly be a greater joy when we recognize the things the Lord does in our lives and the lives of those around us. Peter took note of this, "Though you have not seen him [the Lord], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9.
"For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel."
The Lord caused joy among the returnees to Jerusalem because, as we read, the Lord had intervened by changing the attitude of King Darius resulting in the rebuilding of the temple.
When God works, there should be a tremendous heartfelt joy in the lives of his people. There could not possibly be a greater joy when we recognize the things the Lord does in our lives and the lives of those around us. Peter took note of this, "Though you have not seen him [the Lord], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9.
Should we ever find ourselves lacking in joy, even a cursory reflection of what the Lord has done for each one of us should bring remedy. It is my thought that the overwhelming and amazing things the Lord has done for us, taking our punishment for all our sins and promising us an eternal future in his family with all of the enchanting and glorious things we have to look forward to has to be met with our own personal "inexpressible and glorious joy"!
How could it not?!
Got joy?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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