Rejoicing in the River

Sunday August 22, 2010

Wow, what a Sunday! Our pre-service pray and worship time totally spilled over into our Sunday gathering and it was so sweet and fun!!! I think Sundays are always fun, but that's also because of how I approach them. Even those difficult topic Sundays.

Well if you missed this past Sunday we went swimming in the river of rejoicing!!

Our primary text was Jeremiah 33:1-9. The Israelites have wandered again and the goodness of our Lord is leading them back through Jeremiah.

What the Lord says here to Israel, and us, in verse 3, "call to me and I will answer you and show great and hidden things which you have not know" (ESV) is meant to be received in faith and as a promise, even in our darkened prisons. What do I have to do to find out the truth, secret path, hidden mystery? I have to call out to Him, and then listen to His response. But wait, it's His response that's most amazing and sometimes the stumbling block. He's going to show us things so great and hidden, we just might not believe it. It's amazing how many promises go unfulfilled because they were so great and mysterious we just did know what to do with them, so rather than attempt and fail, we just don't attempt.

So what if we just decided that if God is going to show us some amazing things,then He'll also provide the way and strength.

The Lord goes on to give us a few names. Some names that are meant to help us believe the great and hidden things He just got done showing us. If we believe these names and begin to walk in who we are according to the righteousness of Christ, our lives are going to look a whole lot different.

The names are found in Jer 3:9, we will be known as joy, praise and glory. The Lord is looking at us in our city and saying to us joy, praise and glory. Why, because we are His children, redeemed by the blood of His Son. As joy, praise and glory - other (nations) are going to tremble with fear and at our prosperity. I don't know about you, but how many people/nations are looking at you and trembling with fear and awe?

Maybe not yet, but they will right. Now the prosperity here is physical, but not just monetary. The Lord desires to bless you to the point that you're overflowing. This overflow becomes as sign and a wonder for others.

Where does it all start. In the river of rejoicing. As Paul puts it in Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice." Our abundance is linked to our rejoicing. Our rejoicing is link to our abundance in Him. It's a cycle that is overwhelming once we start live by it.

So, what do you need to start doing? I'd suggest calling upon the Lord, and when He says "yes, joy, praise, and glory," He's talking about you!!!