I'm not going to get down and out because I lose a loved one or because someone who was born again dies. Why? Because I know what the Bible says about the resurrection of the saints. I know I can look forward to meeting my loved one in Heaven one of these days. Hallelujah!
So while someone else is weeping and wailing because "Grandma is gone," I'm rejoicing because I know Grandma was born again. I know she's alive in Christ, and she's already in the mansion Jesus prepared for her in Heaven. I can rejoice because of what I know.
I suspect that for years many of you could not have joy because you didn't know anything about the Word of God. You let the bill collectors get you down because you didn't know what the Word says about finances.
You let the media tell you there's a recession, and you got down because you didn't know that God promised He would supply all your needs in spite of what's going on in the world economy. Because you didn't know what belongs to you as an heir of salvation, you let the bad reports in the news about downsizing and layoffs put fear in your heart that you were going to lose your job.
But now that you're illuminated and understand what you read in the Word, you don't pay attention to the recession; you don't participate in a recession because you know that your God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory (Phil. 4:19).
You can rest in the joy of the Lord because you know you have an unbreakable covenant. You can rejoice because you're a tither and you know God has promised to rebuke the devourer for your sake (Mal. 3:11).
You have treasure laid up in heaven, where nobody can steal it (Matt. 6:20). And you rejoice even in the midst of the spoiling of your goods because you know you have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance (Heb. 10:34).
The joy of the Lord is your strength in time of trouble. And joy comes from what you know of the Word of God.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers