And We Know

 Proverbs 15:13-15

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,

But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 

The heart of him who has understanding seeks

knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 

All the days of the afflicted are evil,

But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Happiness is emotional. It's fleeting. Here today, gone tomorrow. Maybe here right now, and gone in 20 minutes. Happiness is temporary. But joy can be permanent. Joy is a decision. Like love is. Love is a decision. Yes it's emotional, in the beginning stages of it, but most of all, it is a decision. Let me tell you why I choose joy every day. Because the Creator of all that was, is, and/or ever will be, loves me. The mayor of my city doesn't know who I am. Much less the governor of my state. But God Almighty knows who I am, and loves me so much, that He sent Jesus to die on the cross for me. In order to experience the joy of the Lord, you must believe that with all your heart. When you have joy in your heart, you don't have to pretend to be happy. You just are. It's not emotional at that point. It's a state of mind now. My spirit is alive and thriving in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. So that knowledge moves into the rest of my being. Why wouldn't I be filled with joy? 

Does that mean bad things don't ever happen to me? Of course not. But circumstances don't change the fact that the Lord of all creation knows me and loves me. And oh, by the way, He wants the best for me. Because I am His child! It's all about what you believe and what you expect. Do you expect the best, or do you expect the worst? That's why when someone asks me, sometimes, how I'm doing, I answer as DL Moody used to. "Better than I deserve!" Because it's true. I know what I deserve. I know who I was. Furthermore, I know who I am now. I'm not perfect. Far from it. Sometimes I dwell on the wrong things. I say the wrong things. I react badly at times. I get frustrated in traffic. I want you to know that under the anointing these messages are created. That doesn't mean that I am perfectly observing everything in them all the time. I wish I could say that was the case, but it's not. 

But, my heart has understanding. And I seek the knowledge of God. Where do you find that knowledge? In God's word. Certainly not found anywhere in this world. I learned long ago, not to put anybody on a pedestal as more than or in a position of absolute greatness, other than the Lord. Because guess what? Man will fail you. I will fail you. Everyone on this earth, who is flesh and blood, is going to fail you at some point. Nobody is perfect, including you. But as we're going through this sanctification process. Learning more about the Lord and His character. We come to that point where we know that we know that we know. When we begin to trust God at His word is when things really begin to change within us. 

And this last part. All the days of the afflicted are evil. When you're going through stuff, it's not fun. But when you have that joy of the Lord, to sustain you, nothing is impossible. Jesus said all things are possible to them that believe. That's the key. I don't wonder. I don't hope. I know. Which is why this next verse is my verse. 

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

You see that? Not we hope. Not even we believe. But we know beyond a shadow of any doubt! When you walk in the confidence that only comes through the joy of the Lord, that joy of knowing and understanding who the Lord is in your life, and all that He's done for you and through you. No, you're not afraid. Because you know that, somehow, some way, the Lord is going to work this out for your good! Not, hope so. Not, maybe so. But you know so! And yes, at that point, I can absolutely guarantee you that you will have a merry heart. Amen? James