Dwell on Your Joy Not Your Cross

Heb 12:2 tells us that Jesus found joy in facing and enduring the cross.  The joy that sustained Him was not the looking forward to the pain and the shame.  His joy was in the faithfulness and love of His Father.  He lived His life on earth KNOWING He would face a cross some day.  He also lived His life on earth KNOWING that He would rise again.  He KNEW that He would not stay in the grave.  He KNEW that through His death, burial and resurrection, millions of lives would be set free from the ravages of sin, sickness and poverty.  He KNEW that our enemy would be COMPLETELY destroyed because of His shed blood.

Nehemiah taught the impoverished Hebrews that "The joy of the Lord is your strength."  Jerusalem was in shambles.  Their lives were in shambles.  The enemy could come through the broken walls and steal anything they had.  However, Nehemiah encouraged them with that statement as they endeavored to rebuild the wall. With one hand they rebuilt and with one hand they held their sword in case the enemy tried to come in.  As they looked toward the finished product in their minds, they found the strength and fortitude to endure their temporary hardship.

Whatever ravages of the enemy you are facing right now, child of God, is only temporary.  Get the promise of God firmly fixed in your mind and soul.  Don't dwell on the problem.  As you keep your heart fixed on His promises, you'll find His joy beginning to well up in you.  It is the joy of the Father to see you prosper in all you do.  Let His joy become your joy and the valley will get shorter and shorter and shorter.