MORNING MANNA 12-18-22
REJOICE
“ Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”- Phil. 4:4
There’s a good reason why people say, “Practice what you preach!”. As everyone knows, we don’t always do it. We often fail to do what we know we should. That’s true of everyone.
I mention this because just yesterday I wrote about “Conquering circumstances “. But before the day was over I was making a failing grade. Rather than conquering my circumstances I was allowing them to control me. Naturally, like most people, I tried to hide it and pretend that all was well, but that didn’t rid me of my guilty conscience. Rather than being content I was craving change. My flesh wanted life to be comfortable, fun, and easy for my wife,myself, and all my loved ones. And the more I thought about it the more miserable I became.
Then I preached to myself what I had written earlier and preached so many times – “I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation “-Hab. 3:18. That reminded me of the power of God’s Word, which is able to lift us up out of the pit of depression and put our feet on shouting ground.When we find no other reason to rejoice we can always “in the Lord”. Counting your blessings helps you handle your burdens.
Thinking about what God has done, is doing, and will do puts our attention where it should be. By “Looking unto Jesus”(Heb. 12:2) we find cause for contentment,a reason to rejoice. You can count on that regardless of your circumstances. If we do what Paul says in Phil. 4:6-7 we will be at peace even though there be problems. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
