Pastor's Ponderings, November 19, 2024

God’s Joy Shall Strengthen Us

Life often presents us with confusing and difficult situations that can leave us feeling hopeless, helpless, or without direction. These moments may make our struggles—be it sickness, loneliness, poverty, or fear—seem insurmountable. Yet, the joy of the Lord provides us with hope and strength. As the song by Soul Survivor reminds us:

"The joy of the Lord is my strength.
In the darkness, I'll dance; in the shadows, I'll sing,
The joy of the Lord is my strength."

This joy empowers us to rise above our challenges, enabling us to “run against a troop” and “leap over walls” as Psalm 18:29 says. God's joy fills us with the motivation, power, and inspiration we need to triumph over obstacles.

 

The world often urges us to focus only on what is tangible—to “be real” and rely solely on what we can see, touch, or measure. Yet, as believers, we are called to fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal. As 2 Corinthians 4:18 reminds us, “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Through faith, we can look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who endured the cross with joy and now reigns victoriously (Hebrews 12:2).

 

Life’s difficulties are inevitable, but God has promised to deliver us from them all (Psalm 34:19). How should we respond? By choosing to lean on His strength, not our own. Our praise is a powerful weapon against the enemy. As Psalm 8:2 declares, “Through the praise of children and infants, you have established a stronghold… to silence the foe.” We can also move in faith. Let us move forward with hope, for “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

 

Today, let us embrace the joy of the Lord as our strength. This joy empowers us to rise above trials and to accomplish everything God calls us to do. No matter how overwhelming life may feel, we can rest in the knowledge that His strength is sufficient, His joy is enduring, and His promises are true.

“For by You, I can run against a troop, and by my God, I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29).

 

Psalm 18:29

New King James Version

29 For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall.

 

2 Corinthians 4:18

New International Version

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

 

Hebrews 12:2

New International Version

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Psalm 34:19

New International Version

19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

 

Psalm 8:2

New International Version

2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

 

Hebrews 11:1

New International Version

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

 

Let Us Stand On God’s Word

 

Donnie McClurkin’s classic song “Stand” poses a powerful question: “What do you do when you’ve done all you can, and it seems like it’s never enough? What do you say when your friends turn away, and you’re left alone? What do you give when you’ve given your all, and it seems like you can’t make it through?” His answer is simple yet profound: “You just stand, when there’s nothing left to do; you just stand and watch the Lord see you through.” 

 

Life can feel overwhelming when we face difficult circumstances—whether it’s a doctor’s dire diagnosis, a banker’s disheartening report, or a judge’s final verdict. These moments challenge us, but the Bible gives us hope. We are called to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13). To stand is not to surrender but to anchor ourselves in faith, ready to receive God’s direction (Ephesians 6:14-18). The children of Israel found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and the advancing Egyptian army. They had nowhere to turn, but God provided a way forward. 

 

Throughout history, the oppressed have faced adversity, persevering in faith while waiting for God’s deliverance. They stood firm, ready for His guidance. We, too, must not be swayed by what we see, hear, or feel. We are called to stand on the solid Rock of God’s Word (Matthew 7:24-25), trusting in His promises. As we stand firm, we will witness the Lord seeing us through, just as He has done in the past. Now and forever, we can trust in God’s Word to bless, sustain, and deliver those who believe.

 

Exodus 14:13

New International Version

13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

 

Ephesians 6:14-18

New King James Version

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

 

Matthew 7:24-25

New International Version

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Pastor's Ponderings, November 4, 2024

God’s Got This!

 

We are amid not only political campaigns, but a sea change in politics. Citizens seemingly accept blatant lies, billionaires openly pay for votes, lawsuits are the norm, and one cannot be certain that the real will of the people will be heard.  Opportunistic people are pushing and shoving to win the yearly popularity contests so that their side can use their advantages for more and more power.

 

Those who love the Lord should not despair, because we know that God is still on His throne and that He promotes some and puts down others (Psalm 75:6-7).  The rulers may make decisions, but God controls their heart (Proverbs 21:1) and His will must be done. The Bible tells us that the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous are very effective (James 5:16).  It may not seem that important to spend time on our knees to entreat a Holy God to interfere in the affairs of man, but the Bible is full of people who when faced with a crisis, cried out to God and He Heard them.  

 

When Judah praised God, He intervened and defeated their enemies (2 Chronicles 20:22). When the Israelites left Egypt, God supernaturally destroyed the Egyptian army (Exodus 15:4-5).  When the Arameans attacked the children of Israel, God caused the army to fear for their lives and they ran leaving all of their equipment and resources behind (2 Kings 7:6, 7).  Jesus is unchanged (Hebrews 13:8).

 

Now is not the time to despair, throw in the towel, or moan that all is lost. God is unmoved by schemes, lies, trickery or conspiracies.  He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He has the whole world in His hands. 

 

Psalm 75:6-7

New International Version

6 No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.

7 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

 

Proverbs 21:1

New International Version

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him

 

James 5:16

New King James Version

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

 

2 Chronicles 20:22

New International Version

22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

 

Exodus 15:4-5

New International Version

4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea.

The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

5 The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.

 

2 Kings 7:6, 7

New International Version

6 for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!” 
7 So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.

 

Hebrews 13:8

New International Version

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.