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Christian Living joy

Turning the Key

Photo by Jaye Haych on Unsplash

I was intrigued recently with something DeborahMarie wrote on her blog, Great is God’s Faithfulness. The title of the post was, The Key to Life, and it was all about the choice set before God’s people in Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

Moses challenged them to love, obey and commit totally to God–to choose life over death and blessings over curses. This choice would be the key to life, but God would not make it for them.

OK, I thought. I have the master key to life, but it’s useless until I stick it into a lock and turn it. What motivates me to do that?

I found the answer in another devotional the next morning. Glenn Packiam, writing in Our Daily Bread, shared an article called, Costly Joy. The scripture he spotlighted was Christ’s parable of the hidden treasure.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” — (Matthew 13:44)

The author then connects the dots to reveal the secret of unswerving motivation:

“Joy drives change–not guilt or duty.”

Glenn Packiam

BINGO! The Joy of the Lord inspires us to choose and use the key to life.

There’s a great example of this in action in Nehemiah chapter 8. The wall around Jerusalem had just been completed, and all the people came together to worship God. These folks hadn’t been to church or heard the Word in a long time. So when the scribe Ezra read from the Law of Moses, the congregation fell under conviction and began to weep. But Nehemiah said, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

According to the book of Hebrews, it was this same kind of joy that gave Jesus the strength to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

It may have been Friday night, but the Lord knew Sunday morning was coming!

You and I have read the book: God wins.

And winners go out in joy and are led forth in peace (Isaiah 55:12).

“Joy is the reason; surrender is the response. The treasure of knowing Jesus is the reward.”

Glenn Packiam

Whose Joy?

This joy that I have

the world can’t take it away

It belongs to God.

By davidsdailydose

I'm just a regular guy who was
tempted to lose all hope but did not. It was God who made the difference.

31 replies on “Turning the Key”

Thank you, Crystal. Words like yours help me realize there’s a good reason for writing what God puts on my heart. Joy is an excellent tonic for grief. Nothing ever takes away all the emptiness, but joy makes it doable. Thank you for stopping by. I am grateful for your thoughts. Blessings.

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Thanks, Gary. I read the first two chapters of Job this morning. Man, that guy went through a LOT! Yet, somehow, he kept the right perspective. Could the joy of the Lord have been the fuel for that? I think so…

I am grateful you stopped by to read and also comment. God’s best to the Fultz’s in 2021!

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Thank you, Matcha (Amanda). Joy works in lots of different circumstances: like fitness goals, for instance.
As a runner, you will burn out quickly (and quit) if every workout is grueling and joyless. To want to run, you must have fun. At least most of the time.
Blessings! Thanks for stopping by.

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It’s true, joy does drive change. People will change things if the change would bring them greater joy in life.
Joy in the Lord is the biggest joy in life. Once people realize this, it puts them back on the correct path.

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“Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience. Not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” Ro. 2:4
Good one, David. God bless you brother.

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Yes! joy is a much more powerful motivator than guilt, fear or the threat of punishment. I also think that joy is both a gift, and something that grows inside us as we focus on God and who he REALLY is (so I guess a fruit that grows and ripens in our heart). It’s actually very hard to create joy ourselves, or at least that has been my experience.

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There are innumerable lessons in God’s curriculum. A friend of mine hosts a workshop where we identify to 4 keys to courage. I believe it’s courage that fuels one to venture into faith, the unforseen. For me, the 3 principles are joy, love and peace. God fulfills each one. Those are my holy trinity of values. It’s how I decide where I put my energy. It must bring me joy, peace and I must love it. In everything there is God, turning that key. Lovely post David😊

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Me too. And I like to credit those sources, because it shows how iron sharpens iron.
I’m working on a post inspired by a comment you made the other day: #sharehisgrace.
Thank you for your encouraging thoughts. Blessings.

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