Monday Morning Hope

Sometimes it feels a little discouraging to realize that I have been a Christian for over 26 years, and yet almost daily, at some point, I must engage in the fight for joy. The good thing is that this reality helps me let go of this world, and keeps me longing for the day when I will see Jesus, and hope and joy will be realized in the fullest sense.

But for now, for today, I go on fighting to find my ultimate hope and satisfaction and joy in Jesus here. In all these years, He has never disappointed me.  So here are the truths that I am reciting to my heart on this Monday morning, when I am tired and the week ahead has many demands.

I will fight for joy because I have Jesus! It is so easy to begin to set my heart on having some particular situation or relationship or possession. Something in my sinful heart wants to treasure the creature rather than the Creator, the gift over the giver.  But nothing on this earth will ever truly fulfill anyone. Everything is empty except Christ Himself.  He's the Giver and the Gift. He has shed His own blood so that I could belong to Him, and He could be mine.  And if I have Jesus, then I need nothing else to be happy in this life.

I will fight for joy because Jesus gives me the strength to do so. All that He calls me to do now, and in the hours, days, and years ahead, is made possible with the power that He provides to each of His children through the indwelling  Holy Spirit. The supply of His power is inexhaustible, and He gives it freely and abundantly to those who are His redeemed, His trophies of grace.

I will fight for joy because I have the promises of Jesus.  He is able to do all that He says He will do.  His great and precious promises stir my heart to trust Him. I will remind myself that He has never failed to accomplish even the smallest intricate detail of His holy will.
Today, I am meditating especially on Hebrews 4:14-16: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

And I will go on fighting for joy because Jesus says He will never leave me.  I'm ashamed to say that I don't remind myself of this enough, thus I can be anxious, fearful, and live as if my God is far away and not involved in the events of my life.  When I believe this lie, I am ignoring the comforting truth that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us!  His words as He departed from His disciples all those years ago were, "I am with you always."  He has sent His Spirit to live in the hearts of all those who are His, and now we never walk alone through this life.  I love the words of Isaiah 41:10,
‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

So, good morning, Monday! Now I can smile at the day ahead!