Daily Devotional
Are You Depending on Your Circumstances?
"Then he said to them, 'Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength'” (Nehemiah 8:10).
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
Nehemiah 8:10 and Philippians 4:4
November 27, 2020
Ponder This
Where does your joy come from? Your job? Your health? Your friends? I hope it comes from the Lord, not circumstances. If you depend on circumstances, you can’t say “rejoice always,” because your circumstances could change. You might lose your job, health, friends, prestige. If you’re getting your joy from your job, we can find out if we take your job and see if you still have your joy. Maybe you’re getting your joy from your health. You say, “No, it’s from the Lord.” If your health fails, see if you still have your joy. The only secure joy anyone can have is in the Lord.
Practice This
It’s not wrong to find joy in your health or your job. But that’s the kind of joy that can be threatened. You need a joy which supersedes that. Psalm 16:11: says, “You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Rejoice in the Lord always—continuous joy.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
