In looking back over the last week in the Bible Study, Hope Has Come, I realized how a song came to mind for each reading …
Our first reading last week was Genesis 1:31 and Genesis 6:5-7.
We are looking at creation and there were several sentences from the study that struck so deep:
“The once unformed and unpleasing clay is an object of beauty and purpose, reflecting the creativity and skill of its master.”
(from Hope Has Come, The Daily Grace Co., page 71)
This one sentence brought to mind Isaiah 64:8 (NASB):
“But now, O Lord, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.”
He is the Potter and we are the work of His hand, created for His good purposes.
Then we see the replaced creation which occurred with the flood:
“The people had “desired to take counterfeit pleasures and consume temporary happiness.”
(from Hope Has Come, The Daily Grace Co. )
This was such a powerful reminder to not settle for the counterfeit and temporary. Only He fully and forever can satisfy our souls.
The longer we walk with Christ, the more we will begin to look and live like Him.
“Day by day, we change from distorted, broken, and ruined clay fragments to glorious reflections of God’s power and love.”
(from Hope Has Come, The Daily Grace Co., page 72)
The study asks: What do both of these passages we read today reveal about God’s character?
~*~*~
We continued to look at “joy” as we read Luke 1:26-35.
The reading brought thoughts of my own pregnancies – very planned, very thought out. Yet I never could have expected to be in bed for 9 months.
Pregnancies have a way of bringing the unexpected, but none as unexpected as Mary.
God in His grace and mercy upon her, sent the angel to prepare her. To tell her of what would come and the purpose for which her Son was coming.
One sentence completely had my attention:
“God graciously gifted Mary the faith to take part in His plan.”
(from Hope Has Come, The Daily Grace Co.,page 79)
God equipped Mary for the task ahead. And He does the same for us as well – He graciously gifts us faith to take part in His plan.
What part of His plan is He calling you? Do you need the faith to participate? We can ask Him for we are told,
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, NASB)
What does Luke 1:26-55 reveal about God’s character?
As I read a song came to mind. May it be our prayer as well – “But I offer all I am for the mercy of Your plan.”
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We ended our focus on JOY with reading Isaiah 35 and Revelation 19:1-5.
I must admit, I sat with this reading for some time and finally wrote down in the margin what I felt like the Lord impressed upon my heart …
God’s joy —->>> overwhelms and invades us!
The reading brought this verse to mind:
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5, NASB)
There are times in our lives we can cry all night. Many have cried themselves to sleep.
There is such promise in this verse … His favor is for a lifetime! He may discipline us, or be angry with us, but His favor is still with us. It’s for a lifetime.
We may weep all night but somehow, He brings joy in the morning; in the light of day for He is the Light.
He overwhelms us – He completely overcomes our minds and feelings.
He invades us – He intrudes and enters our situations forcefully because we are His and He brings JOY in the morning.
“Lift up your eyes,
your Light has come!
Lift up your heart,
make room for His love,
His unfailing love! ”
(from the song, The Thrill of Hope by Christy Nockels)
He doesn’t leave us in darkness because He is the Light and in His Light, we find joy.
How does the future promise of triumphant joy affect you?
~*~*~
Day by day,
God gives us faith to take part in His plan,
and brings us a joy that overwhelms and invades our lives.
Today I may be joining …
“We may weep all night but somehow, He brings joy in the morning; in the light of day for He is the Light.” Sometimes the nights seem long, but the mornings do always come eventually. Thanks for these reminders of Joy!
Those moments where we walk together, where it’s just me and Him – and there is a conversation going on between us- those moments – God’s infused joy. I need less busy and more moments like that. The older I get, the more I’d rather extravert with God than with anybody else. Merry Christmas, my friend. May we each find those joy-infused moments with our Savior.
Joanne, what beautiful thoughts. I’m enjoying that invasion of His hope and joy right now. There are some very disappointing things going on in my family. Without His hope and light, I might be overwhelmed with sadness but, instead, I have peace and, yes, joy.
I am comforted and filled with peace knowing I am loved by God. Merry Christmas! 🙂
Amen. There is joy indeed found in the searching Ms. Joanne. Merry CHRISTmas ma’am.