Joy Gems

Proving Faith with Joy

I Chronicles 12:38-40 "There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel."

This talks about how the Israelites gathered at Hebron, determined to make David king. Their families had sent food, and also their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulon and Naphtali, so they feasted for three days. Then it says, "There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel."

Lord, shall I read into this that when there is joy, the supplies become plentiful? Or did they rejoice because they had good food to eat?

The Berkley Bible says, "...because gladness reigned in Israel."

No, I'm thinking the joy came first and then the supplies. That is how it seems to be with me this year too. As my faith and devotion to God have increased, so have the gifts and incomes that I needed begun to come in.

It is so easy for most of us to have a cautious, negative attitude - probably because we want to ward off disappointment. However, this passage (and others) show that in God's mind, the cheerfulness that comes from believing our needs will be met is supposed to come first. We prove our faith by our joy at what is to come, and then the blessings come; often in direct proportion to our faith as evidenced by our joyful confidence in God.

PRAYER: Oh Lord, I want to grow in faith and glad believing that You care and ARE meeting my needs. Take away any hints of doubt and fear and fill my heart with that joyful knowing that You are aware of me and my needs and You will meet them - on time!

Help me to start sharing my testimonies of the needs You have already met wonderfully. I want to give glory to You, Lord God.

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