The Misunderstandable Joy We Have

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

Knowing that God is with you and that you have access to Him is a joy you should relish in.

Today’s devotional reading: James 1:2-4

James said that we ought to count it all joy when we fall into various trials. Now, the thought of rejoicing in our trials and tribulations is something that even some believers struggle to understand, let alone the non-believer. Yet, because God is our hope, even amid all of our troubles, we know that joy will soon follow. As David sang in Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Let us rejoice in God giving His only begotten Son to bring down the barrier of separation that is brought on by sin. Because that barrier has been brought down, all of us who walk with Christ have received the Holy Spirit. Because you have received the Holy Spirit, you should understand that God is always with you. Again, you are a temple of the Lord, and because the Spirit rests with you, you always have access to Him.

Access to the Lord means that you can talk with God at any time. You can come before the throne of grace at any time, and God will not turn you away! Because Christ has washed away your sins through the shedding of His blood, the Lord welcomes you to come before Him with great love and a desire to lift you up. Therefore, as Paul said, go boldly before the throne of grace, and you will obtain mercy and find favor in times of trouble (Heb. 4:16).

In times of trouble, because you know that you can go to God, that God loves you, favors you, and is with you, you ought not fear. What trouble is there that can overcome the Lord? In my life, I have seen no trouble that God wasn’t able to handle. So, though trouble may rattle you for a moment, be confident and rejoice because trouble certainly doesn’t last with the Lord.