40 Days of Seeking First the Kingdom of God
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Daily Insight:
In the ever-changing seasons of life, remember that your position in Christ is constant, offering a joy that transcends fleeting circumstances. This unshakable joy is your strength and your anchor.
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Nehemiah 8:10 (CSB)
Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Consider the life of a professional athlete on a championship-winning team. Throughout the season, this athlete experiences highs and lows, moments of personal triumph and times of struggle. His happiness fluctuates depending on his performance, the crowd's reaction, and the game's outcome.
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However, underlying all these ups and downs is a fundamental truth: he is part of a championship team. This status doesn't waver with each game's outcome or his personal performance. It's a constant, unchanging fact. Regardless of how he feels after each match, whether elated or downcast, his position on the team remains secure.
At the end of the season, when the championship is won, this athlete experiences a profound joy. This joy isn't merely a reflection of the final victory but a culmination of being part of something greater, something unshakable. It's a joy that overrides the temporary disappointments and struggles of the season because it's based on a secure, unchanging reality.
In a similar way, the joy of the Lord is like being part of that championship team. Our joy is founded upon our position in Christ. This position is secure, unchanging, and not subject to the fluctuating circumstances of our daily lives. Just as an athlete's status as a champion is not altered by a single poor performance, our status as children of God is not affected by the challenges or setbacks we face.
Our happiness might ebb and flow based on our daily circumstances, much like the athlete's feelings after each game. But our joy is anchored in something much deeper: our unbreakable relationship with Christ. It's a joy permeating all seasons of life, sustaining us through trials and triumphs.
So, just as the athlete draws strength from his position on the championship team, we, too, can find unending joy in our position in Christ. It's a joy that transcends our immediate circumstances, providing strength, hope, and resilience. It reminds us that, regardless of life's ups and downs, we are forever held in our Savior's victorious, loving embrace.
Joy: The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22 (CSB)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"
In the same way that a healthy tree naturally produces fruit, the Holy Spirit, working within those positioned in Christ Jesus, brings forth joy as a natural byproduct of His transformative work in our lives. This joy is not a human-crafted emotion, dependent on external circumstances, but rather a Kingdom gift. This fruit grows from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Just as a tree doesn't strain to produce fruit, but does so effortlessly when it is healthy and well-nourished, so too does the Holy Spirit produce joy in us as we remain rooted in Christ. It's a supernatural outcome of our spiritual health and growth. This joy is deep-seated, emanating from the very core of our being, where the Holy Spirit resides and works.
It's important to understand that this joy is different from worldly happiness. Worldly happiness is like a leaf that withers—temporary and dependent on the right conditions. In contrast, the joy given by the Holy Spirit is like a deep-rooted tree that stands firm, regardless of the surrounding environment (Psalm 1). It doesn't waver in the storm or dry up in the drought. It is constant because it is sourced from our unchanging God.
The Holy Spirit's work is ongoing for those in Christ, transforming us daily to be more like Jesus. As we yield to His leading, immerse ourselves in His Word, and fellowship with Him in prayer, the Holy Spirit molds our character, thoughts, and attitudes. It is through this process that the fruit of joy grows.
Conclusion
As we come to the end of this reflection on the joy of the Lord, it is essential to turn our focus inward and upward. We must deepen our relationship with Jesus to nurture this Kingdom joy, for He is the source of all true and lasting joy. This deepening process involves two essential practices: prayer and Bible intake.
Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. It's where we pour out our hearts, share our burdens, and also listen to His voice. We find comfort, guidance, and a renewed sense of His presence in prayer. Our roots in His grace grow deeper in these intimate moments with the Lord.
Bible intake, meanwhile, is our spiritual nourishment. The Word of God is alive and active, capable of transforming our minds and hearts. As we read, meditate, and apply His Word, we learn more about His character, promises, and will for our lives. The Scriptures teach us of His goodness, graciousness, and mercy, reinforcing the joy that springs from our position in Christ Jesus.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This seeking is an active pursuit of Jesus' authority rule over our lives. As we prioritize His Kingdom, we align ourselves with His purposes, and in doing so, we find that our joy is preserved and multiplied.
Joy is the overriding attribute of every heart in the Kingdom of God. This joy is not because our lives are free from struggles or pain, but because we love our King and know He is good, gracious, and merciful. In Him, we find a joy that overcomes, a peace that surpasses understanding, and a hope that does not disappoint.
So, let us commit to digging deeper into our relationship with Jesus. Let us be diligent in prayer and in the intake of His Word. As we do so, our roots in His grace will grow deeper, and the joy of the Lord will increasingly become our strength. In this Kingdom joy, we find the courage to face each day, the strength to endure trials, and the hope to look forward to a glorious future with our King.