Topic: The Mindset for Perpetual Joy and Thanksgiving [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 11 August 2021
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Above Only Devotional
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
The Mindset for Perpetual Joy and Thanksgiving
Isaiah 6:1-3 (CEV), 2 Kings 6:17 (GNB)
In the year that King Uzziah died, I had a vision of the Lord. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple. Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, as they shouted, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord All-Powerful! The earth is filled with your glory.” *… “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD answered his prayer, and Elisha’s servant looked up and saw the hillside covered with horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.
The Bible implores us to remain joyful (Phil.4:4) and thankful (1Thes.5:18). God does not want us to be joyful and thankful only when things seem to be going well. He wants us to be joyful and thankful always. Does this mean God wants us to pretend as if we do not have difficulties or challenges? No, not at all. God knows perfectly well that we have difficulties and challenges. The Bible says Jesus is touched by the feelings of our infirmities. He understands us perfectly because He too was tempted in every way (Heb.4:15).
God wants us to remain joyful and thankful. He consistently rejoices over us with singing (Zeph.3:17). Even when people rage and kings conspire against us, the Bible assures us that “He that sits in the heavens shall laugh.”(Psa.2:1-4.)
If we are going to remain joyful and thankful perpetually, our mindset must be renewed to think as God thinks and to see as God sees. This is another thing the Holy Spirit helps us to do. The cherubs in our first text above could keep declaring, “holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” because all they were seeing was the glory of God. They proclaimed that the whole earth is full of the glory of God. Does this mean that there were no problems on the earth? No, it means that they knew that the glory of God is more real than the challenges on the earth. They understood that remaining conscious of God’s glory causes that glory to prevail in our lives. This mindset caused Elisha to prevail in our second text above. This was why Paul and Silas could pray and sing even in prison (Acts 16:25). Jesus encouraged us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33(. His glory prevails.
Faith Declaration:
I am joyful and thankful always because I have the life of God in me and I see the glory of God all around me. I always have the victory!
Bible In One Year Reading Plan
Nehemiah 1:1-3:14, 1 Corinthians 7:1-24, Psalm 31:19-24, Proverbs 21:4
