EBENEZER: STONE OF HELP

You shall have a song as in the night when a holy feast is kept, and GLADNESS of heart, as when one sets out to the sound of the flute to go to the mountain of the LORD, to the ROCK of Israel. Isaiah 30:29

REMEMBER VERSE

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will MEDITATE. Psalm 145:5

DEVOTION

Corrie ten Boom said, ““If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” I agree Corrie, and if you REMEMBER to look at your Rock you will feel joy.

I easily fool myself into thinking when I have THIS or when I accomplish THAT— THEN I’ll be happy. But then I reach one of those accomplishments and think, “Darn, this isn’t as good as I had hoped.”

But if I focus on Jesus, desire Him above money and pursue Him over riches, THEN I am REMEMBERING my Lord. My vision changes from myself to HIM, the source and supplier of my joy.

I remember:

Money’s tight, but the Lord provides
Politics are ugly, but the Lord reigns
Enemies abound, but the Lord fights for me
Life’s tough, but the Lord still holds me.

I REMEMBER Him and open myself to Him. Not one thing in my life has changed, except my attitude and atmosphere and THEN He pours out JOY beyond imagining.

• Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with JOY that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

• PRAYER: Jesus, please forgive me for focusing on anything but You. I rejoice that You are Lord, You reign, and You hold me.
  

• Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

• PRAYER: Thank You Lord, that You desire your people to live joyful lives, celebrating Your goodness. Your joy starts NOW, not just in Heaven. Thank You for Your joy, which You freely offer to me. Thank You that it gives me strength.

QUESTIONS:

Make two columns on a piece of paper:

• List your joy-killers down one side.

• Read Psalm 145:5, and list attributes of God’s glory and His wondrous work down the other.

• Draw an X through your problems.

• Praise God for His character.

CHALLENGE

Write the verse “The joy of the Lord is my strength” and put it somewhere visible. Every time you start focusing on problems, read it out loud.

All Scripture from the ESV. Emphasis added.

Tomorrow on Day 17 we will remember the God gives blessings.

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