With carols and songs of joy all around the world – this Christmas might not sound like a perfect Christmas for some of us. While the whole world is celebrating the Savior – some of us might have been lost in our pain, loss, disappointments, hurts, discouragements and regrets. Some of us might have gone through a lot this year and the pain could not be expressed in words. For some of us the pain would have been so deep that we failed to express it in any form and became numb to it. For others it might look like another evening that they need to survive. All decorations, songs, parties, feast might not make sense because all hell break loose against you.
Ahh. We need to ask ourselves this question – What stole my joy?
Remember John 10:10? – Enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came to give us life in abundance. One of the purposes of these unavoidable circumstances is to shake us and to steal, kill and destroy our joy.
Allow Jesus to restore your joy-
The Joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
There is a hope for you and I – Do not allow temporary situations to steal your Joy
I don’t know much but something I am sure of is that there is hope for you and I. Even in the sorrows – there is Hope. While you are broken – there is Hope. While life makes no sense – there is Hope. In the morning – there is Hope. In the darkest night – there is Hope.
Remember the nativity story?
Those Shepherds – they were not expecting Savior to be born that day and that they would have never expected an angel to visit them and proclaim the good news to them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)
Those people who failed to give a room for Mother Mary to give birth – they never knew that they just denied to give room for their Savior to be born.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)
No one was expecting the Savior to be born that night but during that chaotic night – the Hope of Israel and whole world was born.
Let me remind you this day: There is Hope for us. Our Hope is in Jesus – our Savior. Many expected Messiah to be born like king and to come and kill the enemies but our Messiah chose manger and cross. This Christmas you might be thinking that God did not show up and it took away all your joy. There might be questions flooding in your mind about life but remember that God is mindful of you.
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
This is not me writing to you but it is written Word of God which is speaking to you that you are valuable and God is mindful of everything.
He might not show up in the same way we expect but He will show up in the midst of our circumstances. The hope in Jesus fills us with Joy. Find your joy in Jesus.
Reflect on these verses:
The Lord is close to the broken hearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
The Lord has made proclamation
to the ends of the earth:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.’”
They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
Isaiah 62:11,12 (NIV)
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1,2 (NIV)
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:3-8 (NIV)
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Luke 1:47 (NIV)
The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the Lord, And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 29:19 (NASB)
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
Prayer: May your spirit rejoice in the Lord our Savior. May He fill your heart with everlasting joy found in Christ our Savior.
Let’s Rejoice in the one who is reason for this season.
Spirit of Life Ministry 