A Reason to Rejoice

I have set the LORD always before me.
   Because he is at my right hand,
   I will not be shaken.

 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
   my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
   nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life;
   you will fill me with joy in your presence,
   with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:8-11

Wouldn't it be great to have your own personal advisor who is always at your side, ready to dispense wisdom and guidance any time you need it?

In this world of fluctuation and change, I need guidance.  If I rely on my own insight and reasoning, I will lead myself down the wrong path.  Thankfully, I do have a Counsellor who is always at my side.  And He's got the map for my journey!  

The thing about God is that even though I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and have entered into a personal relationship with Him, He does not force His way into my daily life.  I have to invite Him in.  I have to set Him before me.  And when I do. . . . I have many reasons to rejoice!

Death is no Longer an Issue

There is a saying that the only things you can count on in life are death and taxes.  While it is true that Uncle Sam always gets his cut, death is not inevitable for those who trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  As believers, God has given us victory over death.

Knowing that I do not have to endure death and with it, separation from the One who is the giver of all good things, I can focus on life.  I need not fear the end of this life because it is simply a transition to the next.  For those who trust in Jesus, this transition will be joyous and something to eagerly anticipate.

While I live my temporary life here on earth, wherever it is that God has placed me, I can rejoice.  He has not abandoned me to the grave.  I have victory over death through faith in Jesus Christ!

I have reason to rejoice as a recipient of eternal life. 

The Path of Life is Illuminated

There are two paths to choose from in this life.  Jesus taught us to, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  (Matthew 7:13-14) 

Even though the path to life is discreet, it is accessible to those who search for it.  God said that, "those who seek me find me." (Proverbs 8:17)  He is available to those who are looking.  What a comfort when I am in despair, discouragement or in times of trouble.  God is there and He can be found!

I have reason to rejoice as a traveler of the narrow path that leads to life!

His Presence Fills me with Joy

My husband and I each have a recliner in our bedroom.  We can sit in each other's presence, reading or napping, without saying a word to each other.  Just being in his presence brings me joy.

It is the same with God.  He is always by my side, yet I so easily forget Him.  When I focus on His presence, my heart overflows with His love, grace and goodness.  No matter the circumstances of my life, I can honestly say that, " I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

With God by my side, I can endure any kind of hardship.  Perhaps even greater, because of His overwhelming love, He sticks with me despite my wretchedness.  When I think of all the ways I fall short of His standard, and how I can never live up to His expectations, yet He still accepts me as one of His children through the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. . . I realize that I have more than enough reason to rejoice!

I have reason to rejoice as a child of God who can dwell in His presence!

As I invite God into my daily life, I find reasons to rejoice despite my circumstances.  I no longer face death, I am travelling the path that leads to life, and as His child I can count on His presence in my life.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will invite God into every moment of this day.

How do I shut God out of my life, only giving Him access during certain times?

Have I been choosing to rejoice in all the good He has given me, or do I tend to choose sorrow and despair?