Always Joyful? You've Got To Be Kidding!

"Today's Devotion" For July 19, 2006

Read: II Thessalonians 5:16-24; Psalm 136

ALWAYS JOYFUL? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (II Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Let's see now...Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed two others; Israel attacks Hezbollah locations in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah sent rockets into Haifa, Israel, so Israel bombed the Beirut airport. Syria is rattling swords and Iran is threatening. At the same time, Hamas continues to send suicide bombers and mortars into Israel from Gaza, and Israel has sent in troops and tanks to quell these incursions and attacks.

At the same time the international community has lost sight of the original issue of the G8 Conference just ended - rather than talk about Iran and its nuclear weapons ambitions, attention was diverted to the Middle East. As it stands right now, no real decisions or actions have been taken by the international community to address the terrorism being escalated against Israel, who now considers herself at war.

Unknown to most of the world, forgotten by others, and of no consequence to even more are the Christians living in Israel and Lebanon facing the dire consequences of the war that unfolding all around them. There is the situation of Pastor Shmuel Awaida, the Arabic pastor of a Messianic congregation in Haifa, who has seen the horror the terrorists bring into people's lives. He speaks of the loneliness many feel - that no one really cares about them.

Yet, this pastor also reveals his joy in the Lord in the face of the insecurity of the situation and the danger that lies all around him. He gives thanks in an email for the prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. He notes the encouragement that comes from God's people gathering together in the name of Jesus for worship and praise.

Reading Pastor Awaida's email brought to mind how we so often get caught up in little, insignificant things which turn our eyes away from Jesus. So often we get hooked into fussing about nonsense and not being able to control our circumstances. All too frequently we're distracted from truly having joy in the Lord, praying for His presence and blessings, and realizing that we are able to overcome any and all circumstances of life as we put our trust in Him. Our first response to Paul's words is, all too often, "Always joyful? You've got to be kidding!"

Paul knew what it was to suffer and to have plenty. He understood the challenges we face in life every day, and then some we've never experienced, such as those Pastor Awaida and his congregation in Haifa are going through. Yet, knowing God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Christ as he did, he could also encourage us to be joyful always, pray continually,and give thanks for each and every circumstance in life - good or bad - in which we are blessed to see the hand of our loving Father in heaven at work. When all is said and done, we belong to God in Jesus Christ, and, just as Jesus has overcome the world, Sin, and Satan for us, so also are we empowered in Him to overcome as well.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for so often focusing on those things which are of no consequence and forgetting that You are always with me - holding me in the palm of Your hand. All too often I let life get to me and find myself depressed, negative, and otherwise feeling sorry for myself (something I really don't want to admit). I find myself turning inward to my own resources or lashing out at others for the challenges of life I face. Forgive me for forgetting to turn to You in both good times and bad, knowing that in Christ there is fullness of joy, Your assurance to hear and answer my prayers, and confidence to face every circumstance of life with thanksgiving - thanksgiving that You have given me a new opportunity to serve and to see Your loving hand at work.

Father, I also pray for my fellow believers in Christ those who are living in dangerous places all over the world, especially in war torn areas. Fill them with hope and trust in Jesus, knowing that You are always with them and nothing can snatch them out of Your hand. Let their lives be filled with Your peace and joy in Christ, let their prayers rise before You as incense, and fill their lives with thanksgiving for their circumstances so that they can experience once more the power of Your love and the working of Your mighty hand. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.