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How would you describe the very nature of God to somebody else? What is He like? If you were to get down to very core aspects of God, the very essence of who He is, how would you describe it?
As we will see in greater detail next week, Love is at the very heart of the nature of God. But joy is also a part of the very nature of God.
For example, Nehemiah 8:10 says, …for the joy of the Lord is your strength. This is a verse that’s easy to misunderstand. Some may read it with the thought that God gives or provides joy – which is true. But there’s more to it.
First, we must remember that one cannot give what he doesn’t possess. As such, this passage indicates that God freely gives joy because He has it in abundance.
Second, we can rest in the knowledge that one of God’s greatest desires is that we experience real joy. As such, when we take steps to experience real joy, we are actually doing exactly what God desires us to do. He wants us to experience Him. He wants us to be with Him. He wants us to have joy.
READING & JOURNALING:
Do you struggle to believe that one of God’s desires is for you to experience lasting joy? If so, why do you think that is?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I confess it is sometimes difficult for me to understand that You truly desire me to experience joy. But Your Word is good and true. When I think about Your nature it’s clear to me that You really are full of joy and You give this joy freely to those who seek You. May I seek You today in everything. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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