Today’s Scripture: The grapevines and the fig trees have all withered. The pomegranate trees, palm trees, and apple trees—yes, all the fruit trees—have dried up. All joy has dried up with them. Joel 1:12 NLT Tyndale
Wait Tom, this scripture doesn’t say “my joy is in the LORD”. No, but as I read Joel this morning and read about the devastation of all their crops and how he says their joy dried up with all those things, I couldn’t help but relate it to today’s economic climate.
As many people have experienced their resources and assets drying up do they too feel their joy drying up? Sure I have experienced these things too and found that if my trust laid there my joy would lay there also. But with hope and trust in the LORD there is joy. No matter what is happening around or in us now, the joy and the hope is still there if our ultimate trust is in the LORD.
Much tougher days lie ahead and we are promised this when the LORD returns. We can prepare ourselves now, while there is time. If we can find joy in Him today, we will find joy in Him then if we are to see that day. Where does your joy lie?
Today’s Prayer: LORD, I put all my faith in You. Thank You for the joy and confidence in which you fill my heart. I no longer rely on the crops of the field or the status of my resources to control my joy. My joy is in You. Prepare me to be Your warrior. In You I find boldness, courage, strength and joy. Forever. Amen
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
I have no SS. I have no retirement to speak of. If my joy is not in the Lord I will have nothing but despair. Good reminder today Tom.
I can relate Bill. There is joy knowing God will take care of His children. Wouldn’t you? He carries all resources and will honor your pastoring His sheep. Blessings!
Psalm 42 rises up within me. It’s one that I was led to when I first gave my heart to the Lord. When David says, “…therefore will I remember thee from the land of the Jordan…” reminds ME to also remember ALL the things the Lord has done for me…beginning with calling me out of darkness into His marvelous Light. He is faithful, and I can count on Him to take care of me, even when all around me has dried up. And like David, I “…shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance”. Have a blessed day Tom, you and yours, and thank you for this great affirmation! Cindy
Thank Cindy for sharing these verses!! Yes we can count on Him, even when all around me has dried up. Yet, shall we praise!!! Thank you and bless you!
Tom, Thank you for your post today. Yes, if we put our hopes in the crops today, and there is no rain today, there will be no harvest tomorrow. But, if we put our hopes in Jesus, we don’t have to worry about tomorrow, because it’s taken care of. J. http://quietstreams.wordpress.com
Thanks J for dropping by! No worry just praises and faith! Does worry really bring anything? Praises do honor who has all things. I appreciate you visiting and speaking up.
Amen and Amen! We are in a predicament right now, but we have Peace. We know that God has our path laid out for us. I cannot imagine relying on our current world situation. We must have our Trust in God!
Hello Kimberly, Yes we have PEACE if we KNOW God has our path laid out. It is true peace isn’t it. In the face of things drying up around us we can trust in Him. In that trust we find joy, love and hope. Thanks!