06/09/2019
Are you a Christian that is trapped in sadness, and when you look at Jesus Christ all you can see is the passion, and Him nailed to the cross? Are you like His disciples who went to the tomb to see a dead man they called Rabbi? Well cheer up, and stop dwelling on the cross, but take heart in the resurrection, and find great joy in the Ascension, and be thrilled in the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Look at all God has done in your life, and rejoice... it is only the beginning.
“The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
Psalms 126:3 ESV
Satan has many traps, and some of them are named sadness, sorrow, mourning, travail, pain, and notice us into viewing trouble rather than seeing an opportunity for prayer, and for God to do something wonderful. When we become ensnared in one of these traps, and lose heart in God’s ability to free us, or fail to celebrate Him once He has, then we miss the joy, happiness, and gladness, that should fill our lives. Are you in one of these traps today? Have you picked up your cross to see only the passion?
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
Today we celebrate Pentecost, and we lift our hands in full expectation of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is a day of great joy when we are filled with gladness, because the comforter has come, and He has quickened our spirits, and brought great joy into our lives. He leads us through the valleys so that we don’t dwell there, and makes us appear intoxicated in our happiness as we receive his gifts. In God’s mercy his Holy Spirit prays for us when the trap of sorrow becomes so tight around us that we have no words of our own to express it... he helps us ask God for relief, and the return of happiness to our lives.
“And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."”
Acts 2:12-13 ESV
Let’s look beyond the cross at the great and joyous celebration of victory the Holy Spirit brings, and rejoice in the Him as we experience the goodness of God and His will... just as Jesus did.
“In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”
Luke 10:21 ESV
Now let’s consider our lives, and the traps of depression and sorrow that we have resigned ourselves to, and let go of them as we see our cross as our victory, and feel the full joy of the Holy Spirit. You may have prayed in tears and sadness for relief as Jesus did, but today, Pentecost, let’s ask that the full joy of the Holy Spirit, fill you, and lift your prayers in joyous expectation as we seek the will of God in our hardships, and claim the victory that lies ahead.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV
Rejoicing in our hardship does not mean our suffering will go away, or that we will not have to mount our cross, but it does mean that there is a purpose in it, and that God’s good will awaits us. There is joy on the other side of trouble, and we can rejoice in knowing that. Take heart, and don’t give Satan his victory... have faith in the goodness of God, and let His Holy Spirit sustain you in joy as we are lead through all trials. Latch onto His love, and hold tight through every storm.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 ESV
Today is Pentecost and we are celebrating the first coming of the Holy Spirit, so open your arms towards heaven, and lift your faces to accept the full light of God upon them. Incredible Joy awaits us today if we will only have faith, and pray that we receive the Holy Spirit in all of his power, and that his gifts of the spirit in all their intoxicating happiness will be poured out upon us.
Prayer,
Father we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and for your Holy Spirit, because they bring us before you where we can leave our suffering behind, and be filled by the joy you offer us. We thank you Holy Father for the storms in our lives that open our eyes to your greatness, and to your goodness, all things that comes to us who love you, and are called according to your purpose. Let your Holy Spirit intercede for each of us, and likewise your Son Jesus Christ. Hear their pleas, and release your forgiveness, relief, mercy, and unbridled joy upon us. Let this day of Pentecost bear witness to your Holy Spirit in us, and your intense joy as it raises our spirits in a quickening of happiness as we experience your grace and presence. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who chose not to leave us alone, but to send your Holy Spirit to comfort us until Jesus returns. Great is your mercy upon us, and complete is your grace through Jesus. Praised be your name always Father... whether in times of suffering, hardship, happiness, or celebration, let us lift you up, and claim your joy as our own. All glory is yours as you pour your grace and Spirit out upon us... we praise you forevermore and dance before you in the Spirit as if intoxicated because you are our God, and every good thing flows from you.
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:27-28 ESV
Rich Forbes