Leaping the Stall

Joyous Occasion [1 Chronicles 16:32-34]

Our reading today recounts the story of David and the Israelites bringing the Ark of the Covenant “home” to the new capital of the Jewish nation: Jerusalem, or the City of David. What a joyous occasion!!! The verses we will examine are part of a psalm or song David had composed just for this celebration, extoling the character and the wonderous deeds of Jehovah God. As a former pastor I knew used to say, “if reading this doesn’t get you fired up about God, then your wood is wet”!!!

Chris Adomanis

Rejoice and Have Joy [John 16:22]

As with all the passages this week, today’s reading is brief. Nevertheless, the passage is loaded with a question, and the answer to that question will define your life here and in eternity.

Hebrews 4:12 says that “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Meditate on the Scripture below, and then let the living and active Word pierce into your thoughts and your heart.

Amy and Todd Smith

Jesus, Our Joy [Isaiah 35:10]

God saw this time before it ever was. This is a time to remember our GOD is in control. He will show us the way. As we begin to safely and wisely take baby steps towards our “new normal”, lets pray with Isaiah for our “sorrow and sighing to flee” and “everlasting joy” to be ours. Let’s pray God show us the way and we do all things according to his perfect timing. May his wisdom be our companion during these trying times.

Michelle Hammer

Inexpressible, Glorious Joy [1 Peter 1:8-9]

Peter is writing to the suffering and persecuted believers of Asia minor, and encouraging them to continue so with rejoicing and praise to God. Peter does so by affirming what is good, and exhorting believers with how to act in obedience as apprentice’s of Jesus. As our culture shifts, I believe the church will see oppression more directly than ever. I would encourage you to read all of chapter 1 today. As we reflect on this passage, my prayer is that we will pursue the Lord more than ever before, be embraced by His love, and be obedient to His calling. Praise King Jesus.

Evan

All Joy?! [James 1:2-3]

“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” Malachi 4:2

In context, this passage for the Real Talk series comes at the end of many things. It is at the end of the book of Malachi, the end of the minor prophets, it is an end to this particular way God led his people, it is at the end of our current Old Testament. Though these words mark the end of many things, they describe a future event. One day the Lord would return. He would separate the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats, those who fear His name from those who don’t.

This verse was a hope and a promise repeated for those who knew the Lord and feared his name. Though difficulty and darkness would encompass God’s people, the Lord would keep his promise to act, to remove sin, to heal, and to bring joy as God’s people wait expectantly for His full plan of redemption to unfold. This is important as we approach the passage in James as well.

Kim Williams