Overtaken By Joy

Nothing fills me up and nourishes my inner core like time in God's presence, letting him speak truth and light into my heart.Today I invite you to join me as we meet God in Isaiah 51:1-11. Pray first. Then read it through two or three times, out loud at least once.Practice listening to the words you are speaking. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind to what you most need to hear today. Then write it down. Here's mine. . .

The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (v. 11)

The word "overtake" gives a picture I need to see. It's as though joy and happiness in its deepest form is pursuing me, chasing me down in times of sorrow or emptiness. Perhaps I've gotten ahead of it by running ahead of God's plan for my life. Maybe I've run off his course and taken a detour. Or maybe it's just that God had to hold them back for a time while he did some painful work.

Regardless, joy and gladness is God's ultimate intention for me, and even though it may seem in those difficult periods that sorrow and disappointment will always be my traveling companions, they will not. I'm destined for everlasting joy! Eventually it will catch up to me on my journey. It will rush up on me and surprise me and I will welcome its coming. Upon its arrival it will chase every negative emotion away. It is God's promise. No matter how bleak life can feel at times, the dawn is going to arrive . . . and it will be glorious!

Father, thank you for this promise. I'm standing on it and claiming it today. Since I'm destined for joy in the future I will choose it even now in this day, this moment. Amen.