walkthesame: Joy in a Prison Cell (#wtsdevo joy) I was nine years old when my minister preached a

walkthesame:

Joy in a Prison Cell (#wtsdevo joy)

I was nine years old when my minister preached a sermon on Philippians. I remember vividly his description of Paul’s conditions in prison as he wrote this book- a cold, damp cell.  Isolation from those he loved. An uncertain tomorrow. Paul had every reason to complain and feel anything but joy. Yet in Philippians 4:4 he penned the words, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice!” I can almost see my little hand grasping the bright blue ink pen as I carefully underlined those words in my Bible. “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say, Rejoice!” I remember thinking, “If Paul can rejoice while he is in prison, surely I can rejoice no matter what I might face in life.”

Many years have passed since I claimed Philippians 4:4 as my life verse. I have now been married thirty years and have four adult children. I also have two children waiting for me in Heaven – a daughter who died of SIDS in 1992 and a son who died of brain cancer in 2008.

When I underlined that verse in my Bible many years ago, I had no idea just how often I would cling to it in times of great sadness. I love the thought that even though I didn’t know what was coming in my life, God did. And I believe He knew I needed this particular verse planted deep in my soul.

Are you facing a tough season right now?

If so, take some time to read Philippians 4 and think about Paul’s ability to praise God in the midst of great uncertainty and suffering. Ask God to help you learn how to rejoice even when very little about life makes sense.

He promises in Psalm 126:5 that if we “sow in tears we will reap songs of joy!” I have seen Him keep this promise in my own life time and time again.

Life is hard. There will be tears.However, God is good. And He promises joy to those who live for Him.

I am praying for you today. Praying you have a day filled with unexplainable joy!

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

By: Tammy \ Personal//Walk the Same