Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 356 (Jeremiah 33:10-11) Thus says the LORD, “Again there will be heard in this place—of which you say, ‘It is desolate, without man and without beast’ —in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man, without inhabitant, and without beast, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say, ‘Praise the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for His mercy endures forever’ and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,” says the LORD. When was the last time you felt you had something to be happy about? For as long as you can remember, your life has been pain, hardship, and misery. You often thought you would love to have a different kind of life, but it never materialized. God told Jeremiah the day would come when the voices of joy and gladness, the bride and bridegroom would again be heard in the streets of Judah and Israel because His people would return home never to go into captivity again. Many Christians feel like they are still captive to Satan. They prayed the salvation prayer, but nothing changed in their life. They are hopeless, miserable, and pressed in on every side. The momentary spark of hope disappeared the first time someone told them they would never change. If that is you, you don’t need to listen to Satan’s lies anymore. When you accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, Jesus broke the chains of hopelessness and gave you joy and gladness. When the chains fell off, He banished misery from your life and gave you something to praise God about. Claim your salvation and begin living in victory instead of defeat. Hear what Paul said to the Corinthians. (2 Corinthians 4:8-18) We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So, then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. You have hope. Take hold of it and tell Satan you belong to Jesus Christ. You will not live in shame, but in life. When you step out in faith, joy will fill the bleak places in your life. Gladness will shape your life, and you will know the hope of your glory in Jesus Christ. If you have taken your eyes off Jesus and placed them on your circumstances, turn them back to Jesus and see the plan He has for you. Let joy take root in you. Then gladness will be your way of life because you know where your salvation lies. Today is your day of freedom. Let’s pray: Father, let joy and gladness fill my life because I love You and gave my life to You. Remind me that Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. I am no longer bound but am set free from Satan’s chains. Let my songs of praise come into Your throne room, and joy fill my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 4 July 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux