“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Have you ever felt robbed of your joy? No locks were broken, no alarms triggered; yet, you sense that your joy has been taken. Was it a sudden loss, or a slow descent into despair that you barely noticed until it was too late?
The enemy is that relentless thief, attempting to rob us of the good things that Jesus has sacrificed so much for us to enjoy.
Through the blood of Jesus at His crucifixion, we gain complete authority over the enemy. No matter what schemes he devises, we are assured of victory! Scripture tells us that Jesus died so we could live blessed, full, and joyful lives.
The enemy has no rightful place in our lives; he is beneath us, under our feet. When we feel our spirits sinking into sadness, frustration, or fear, we must be prepared for battle. It is essential to know the Word of God, equipping ourselves with the necessary defenses against attacks on our joy.
“God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
This scripture makes it clear: at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, including that of the enemy. He must submit to Jesus and will ultimately flee!
So, how do we reclaim what the enemy has stolen? How do we restore and maintain our joy? The wonderful truth is that God specializes in restoration. He promises to return to us double for our troubles and beauty for our ashes!
The story of Job in the Bible serves as a profound testament to God’s unwavering kindness and faithfulness. The enemy stripped Job of everything: his family, home, wealth, joy, and health. Yet throughout his trials, Job praised God and held onto his faith. As a result, God restored everything to Job, giving him even more than he had lost. Job allowed his faith to overshadow his fears, leading to the return of his joy and complete restoration.
The Bible assures us that though we may experience pain during the night, joy comes in the morning. We are called to embody the mind of Christ and be transformed into God’s image. God fights our battles for us, often without us lifting a finger in our own defense! The great I AM is never too preoccupied or on a break; He is always ready to stand with us. Call on Jesus! He will never abandon you or forsake you. He rescues us in times of trouble and promises to honor and deliver us from all evil. With Him, we are destined to triumph, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. In God, we are always more than conquerors!
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with JOY in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
“When you feel your joy and peace slipping away, enter into God’s presence and boldly declare that the joy of the Lord is your strength. Pray continuously and trust that God is capable and willing to perfect all that concerns you. He will fight for you always… in every way!”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, grant us the royal gift of inward happiness and the serenity that comes from living close to You. Renew within us a daily sense of joy, allowing Your eternal spirit to dwell deep within our souls and bodies, filling every corner of our hearts with light and grace. Continue to fill us with all that is good so we may reflect You in our daily lives. I give praise to You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Rob Lavallee
Scriptural Seeds Ministries
Scriptural Seeds Ministries 