Forgiveness...and Sweet Joy!

"Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." 

~Isaiah 51:11

     I am forgiven! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul! What joy there is for those who's hope is in the Lord! 

     I was reading the latest issue of SetApartgirl magazine today and came across and article on joy and what can block that joy and taint your time with the Lord. I read the article and felt a dread seep through my heart as I recognized a pattern often seen in my life; a sin pattern. Disobedience, and as a result a "wall" was being built between me and god. I bent my head in contrition and confessed my sin to God. 

      Oh, sweet Jesus, what rivers of peace and joy flow through me now! The article's author pointed to Psalm 32, and the example King David set in confessing, repenting, and rejoicing in being forgiven.

"When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not his. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah...

Be glad in the Lord,  and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."

~Psalm 32:3-5, 11

     "A beautiful, joy-filled romance with god is always marked by a pattern of daily, moment-by-moment obedience. It is an obedience that does not question or hesitate, but simply acts; and it is an obedience that not only follows the clear commands in God's word, but also responds to the gentle nudging of His Spirit throughout the day. This perpetual response to the Father's guidance is the pathway to unhindered intimacy with Him." 

        ~Joyful Every Morning (article), Tessa Hershberger-SetApartgirl

"The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him. And all the upright in heart shall glory."

~Psalm 64:10

"A life of obedience is a life of much joy - a full joy that is not diminished with the dawning of a new day." 

~Joyful Every Morning, Tessa Hershberger SetApartgirl

     Jesus is mighty to save, ready to forgive, and full of love. HE is our peace, our joy, our love, our righteousness, our EVERYTHING. If you feel blocked from God, or distant from Him, lean on the truth, the fact, that He is always with you. And ask Him to show you what is coming between Him and you. Ask Him to shine His white-hot spotlight of conviction into your life and allow Him to purge you of all sin. I promise it is worth it. Not just because of the joy and peace you will receive, but because He is worthy, worthy, worthy of all that you are. 

Always in His love,

Victoria Eira