A Heart of Rejoicing - Part One | Devotions to Produce Spiritual Growth

Do we realize what can result from a rejoicing heart?  What happens, when we allow gloom and despair to control our thoughts and feelings? In Psalm 118:24, we read…”This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Many of us have memorized or repeated this verse but do we live the words we read? When we take this verse apart; we realize that we have a reason to rejoice because God has made each day, just for us. When we focus on Him, then His plan for the day, will line up with His plan for our lives.

Over time, I have come to see that our reactions in life will either open doors, for God to work or they will open doors for Satan to enter and have control. A rejoicing heart becomes a weapon, to ward off evil; so the connection between us and God can remain clear. When we can rejoice, even though we experience deep pain and heartache; then we are also relaying a message to God that says…”I believe in You…I trust in You and I know that you are going to take these circumstances in my life and allow me to become victorious through You.”

When we can begin our day with God and connect ourselves to His loving presence, then we will discover a heart that longs to rejoice in Him, rather than wallow in self-despair. We need to remember that negative responses to our circumstances will only hinder God’s work and make our lives miserable but when we take the time, to see the beauty in our day, even while experiencing the cloudy and dismal moments of despair; then our hearts will shine with the presence of the One, who lives…reigns and is at work within us.