Bible verse of the day: Colossians 3:5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Daily Devotional: by He gets us Devotionals.com
Jesus was no stranger to joy. He went to weddings. He shared lively meals with his friends. He drank with them. He had so much fun and acted so freely around the dinner table that the uptight religious leaders called him a glutton and a drunkard. Jesus was joyful. But what does that mean?
These days it’s very easy to conflate joy and happiness, but Jesus hardly ever used the word happiness (or at least the Aramaic equivalent), and he frequently used the word we translate as joy. That word? In Greek, it’s “chara,” and it means a feeling of inner gladness, delight, or rejoicing. You see, the joy Jesus talked about and lived out isn’t dependent on circumstances, and it isn’t a reactionary feeling — it’s a lasting emotion, a deep-seated assurance, and a way of life.
That gives a different perspective to the picture of Jesus eating and drinking with friends and strangers. It wasn’t the food, drink, or company that brought Jesus joy — he already had it. It’s actually the other way around. It was his joy that gave him the freedom to hang out with people that others thought were shady. It was his joy that allowed him to be uninhibited in his pursuit of compassion. It was his joy that let him throw worry about his reputation to the side as he lived life to the full. And it was that same joy, that deep-seated emotion that works inside out, that allowed him to forgive his captors on the cross.
In good times and bad, Jesus was joyful, and he wanted the same for the people who would listen to him. During his last meal with his disciples, Jesus shared plenty of wisdom. After a good chunk of it, he was sure to explain that he was sharing it all “so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” And then, without pause, he continued: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” If you’re looking for the secret to Jesus’ joy, try star.
22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?
22:2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.
22:3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.
22:4 In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.
22:5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
22:7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
22:8 He trusts in the Lord, they say, let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.
22:9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mothers breast.
22:10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mothers womb you have been my God.
22:11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
22:12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
22:13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me.
22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.
22:15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
22:16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.
22:17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.
22:18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
22:19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
22:20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.
22:21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22:22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.
22:23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
22:24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
22:25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.
22:26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him may your hearts live forever!
22:27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,
22:28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
22:29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him those who cannot keep themselves alive.
22:30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.
22:31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!
Summary; This Psalm served as a Lament (prayer) for the people of God during the Old Testament period. You will notice that the Psalm is devoid of specific historical references (except the title). This is because it was written not to create an historical record, but for use by later worshipers in a similar, though not necessarily identical situation.
Closing Prayer; Heavenly Father we thank you for doing things in different ways you taught us. We thank you for being you and helping sinners on earth. Thank you for being a good father to us. We love you lord. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Salvation: Which is how you ask to become a child of Our Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and I know you will answer my prayers. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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