Ephesians 1:15-19 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
...and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power,
DAY 7—Because of God’s Covenant, the Redeemed have the hope of restoration after tribulation.
Joy and hope are two wonderful results of being redeemed. Before redemption, joy is often fleeting. It may come as the result of some good circumstance, which can quickly change. But after redemption has become a reality in us, joy can come by the Holy Spirit’s work. Sometimes, we will find ourselves having joy, not even knowing why. It’s because the Holy Spirit has brought it to us. The same is so about hope. For those who know not the Lord as their Redeemer, hope can be easily dashed to pieces. But in knowing the redemption through Christ Jesus, our hope becomes a stable and sure thing.
Isaiah 51: 11—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. (Think on Hebrews 12:22-24.) NIrV—Those the Lord has saved will return to their land. They will sing as they enter the city of Zion. Joy that lasts forever will be like beautiful crowns on their heads. They will be filled with gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing will be gone.
Hebrews 12:22-24—But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. NIrV—But you have come to Mount Zion. You have come to the Jerusalem in heaven. It is the city of the living God. You have come to a joyful gathering of angels. There are thousands and thousands of them. You have come to the church of God's people. God's first and only Son is over all things. God's people share in what belongs to his Son. Their names are written in heaven. You have come to God. He is the judge of all people. You have come to the spirits of godly people who have been made perfect. You have come to Jesus. He is the go between of a new covenant. You have come to the sprinkled blood. It promises better things than the blood of Abel.
LORD, help me look through the pain and pressure of today and find the joy of Your presence. As You teach me more and more of Your Covenant promises, help me know Your abiding presence. Then, nothing else will matter. Now—here are these people that I really do care about. They have more pains and pressures than they know how to handle. Draw them to know Your faithfulness. Help them find know presence and Your redeeming love.
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