"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fullness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." - Psalm 16:11
This morning my Bible study for the day was Acts 2:28, where Peter quotes from Psalm 16 and says, "Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."
The word "countenance" is referring to God's "presence." Knowing that God is truly near and present gives one great joy; as does His answers to prayer. It gives you a sense of peace and contentment and safety when the good Lord's presence is felt. And most of all you feel loved. You are loved. God is love (1 John 4:8).
"Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God." - Sam Storms
Nehemiah 8:10 b tells us ".... for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
One commentator tells us concerning Nehemiah 8:10 b, "Religious joy, properly tempered with continual dependency on the help of God, meekness of mind, and self-diffidence, is a powerful means of strengthening the soul. In such a frame of mind no man ever fell, and in such a state of mind the general health of the body is much improved; a cheerful heart is not only a continual feast, but also a continual medicine."
This morning I also read again Psalm 16. Please turn there and read about not only king David, but how this Psalm also speaks of the prophesied resurrection of Christ. Pay special attention to verses 8 to 11. I have already quoted verse 11 and will now quote verses 8 to 10 :
(8) I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. (10) For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."
Some mysteries in the Bible are hard to understand, but if you are a born again believer the Holy Spirit will help and guide you to understand the Holy Word. Jesus' death and resurrection gives us the assurance that we too will be resurrected and live forever with the good Lord. That is indeed something to be joyful about, and to live a life of obedience and gratitude towards the Lord.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
"We should concentrate on Jesus, the goal and objective of our faith. Our faith, which has its beginning in Him, is also completed in Him. " - King James Study Bible notes.
Think about how Jesus suffered, bled and died so that those who believe in Him as the Savior might have eternal life ! What love!
We are living in the last "hour" of the last days. So many prophecies are in the process or the beginnings of fulfillment right now. Remember, Israel is God's prophetic time clock. In fact, the entire 7 year Tribulation is to bring Israel to its knees in acknowledgement that Jesus is the Messiah they are looking for. Isaiah 17:1 could be fulfilled at any time, where it says that Damascus will be destroyed and become "a ruinous heap." If you look at any photos of present day Damascus, a good portion of it is destroyed already. Also, the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38 and 39 may happen soon, as Russia, Iran, and Turkey have become "good buddies" and will soon come against Israel as shown in Ezekiel 38.... they as well as other surrounding nations will come against Israel in this war.
We live in the end times. Now is the time to put your faith and trust in Jesus as the Savior if you have not already done so. Before the Tribulation period, Jesus will Rapture all true believers to be with Him in heaven. They will be with the Lord and will escape the wrath of God to come upon the ungodly and unrepentant persons left on earth after the Rapture. The Tribulation will be a time of destruction and horrors and hell on earth.
Don't be left behind!
Go to the Lord in heartfelt prayer and confess your sins and repent never to return to your sins again; ask God for forgiveness. Put your faith in Jesus as the Savior and believe in His resurrection.
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
The main thing is to believe with all of your being that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to eternal life. If you are truly converted, you will bear much fruit and good works will follow. Works do not save you, but they are proof that you are truly saved and have put all of your trust in the good Lord. You will want to serve the Lord out of love and gratitude.
BELIEVE !
Jesus is waiting to receive you with open arms full of love and
forgiveness !
He will give you peace and joy !
Have a blessed and Christ centered life !!
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