Do not you leave ravish you joy

"He will make you his greatest joy, he will keep silence in his love, he will have for you transports of joy." Zephaniah 3.17

There are special moments in our life that have marked our existence forever. For me, it was the day I gave my life to Christ. In that lugubrious place that held me captive, the prisoners could hear me expressing aloud and freely the happiness that filled my heart !

Beyond everything that happens here, you must ask yourself where your joy really lies !

The days passed and in a few weeks, the devil managed to steal the joy of my salvation by reminding me of my past and in particular the misdeeds that had led me to prison. He accused me, condemned me with all the arguments related to my old life. His accusations made me feel so unworthy of indignation that my joy of the day before disappeared very quickly !

Then, another day, kneeling in my cell, while I cried before God on my sad fate, I felt his presence invade this place so dirty and inhospitable. He spoke to my heart, lifted up my slain soul, and showed me the work done on the cross by Jesus Christ. At that moment, I realized that the joy of my salvation was a grace from God, so an undeserved favor that cost me nothing, since Jesus Christ had already paid the price.

The sadness that permeates this world, will unfortunately present itself at some point in our path. It is an undeniable fact that is part of life. However, beyond all that is happening here, you must ask yourself where your joy really lies ! What is the joy that animates you ? Is it earthly or spiritual ? Who is the source ?

Over the years, we are well aware that the joys of the world are fleeting and quickly tarnished by the trials of life, while the joy of the Holy Spirit, the joy of the Lord, remains, even in the most painful moments because God is in the source.

Through this verse, you must remember two things and engrave them in your heart : the first is that you are a source of joy for the Lord, and the second is that he promises to have transportation gladness in your favor.

A prayer for today

Lord, I thank you for the joy you put in my heart, a perfect joy that nothing and no one can tarnish. Allow the joy of your Spirit to be the source of my strength, my zeal for your service in all circumstances, favorable or not. Amen.

Yannis Gautier

Source (The Thought of the Day)