Joyful Noise

Phil. 4:4- "Rejoice in the Lord always". Often times people view this verse as unrealistic. "well God, how can I rejoice when my mother has cancer." or "how can I rejoice when my brother is in prison?"

God will always find a way to bring good out of evil. Think to the story of Joseph. His brothers literally were the reason he spent years away from his family, in and out of prison, never knowing if he would live to see another day. His life was full of ups and downs- from being the Pharaoh's right hand man, to being thrown in prison based on false accusations of rape, to becoming Prime Minister and saving several Egyptians and his own family.

Joseph says to his brother in Gen 50:20-21- "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don;t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children."

God turned a horrible situation, into something good, and beautiful. He took an act of betrayal, and brought a family closer together.

Think of the man on the cross beside Jesus, in the very end. A criminal, sentenced to die, saved in the last moment and told by Jesus, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Not only was this man saved, but he now serves as an example- years, decades, an eternity later- that it is NEVER to late to repent and give your life to Christ...

So I urge you to rejoice in the Lord always... I know this is all a lot easier said than done, but through the power of Christ, anything is possible. So trust in Him. Lean on Him. When you feel weak, and unable to sing praise, let Him strengthen your voice.

Max Lucado's "Anxious for Nothing" contained the following quotes...

"God's sovereignty bids us to fight the onslaught of fret with the sword that is etched with the words of God"

"The brothers had every intention to harm Joseph. But God, in His providence, used their intended evil for ultimate good. He never robbed the brothers of their free will. He never imposed His nature upon them. But neither did he allow their sin and their sin nature to rule the day. He routed evil into good. God uses all things to bring about His purpose."

"God took the Crucifixion of Friday and turned it into the celebration of Sunday. Can he not do a reversal for you?"

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