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.
31 replies on “Turning the Key”
Thank you. Your comments are encouraging to me.
LikeLike
I wanted you to see my post, Deb, because it wouldn’t have happened without yours. Thanks for tracking it down. God bless you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for pointing me towards your encouraging post and for referencing mine😊. I’m sorry I missed this earlier! Our joy indeed comes from and is in the Lord! God bless you, David!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That’s a deep statement. I think I understand what you’re saying. Thank you for your comment.
LikeLike
Sometimes the key comes before the lock.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I woke up this morning thinking about the Happy New Year vs. Joy. I needed these words, and I found them here: “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Mandy! God Bless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is fantastic! Praise changes everything, praise comes from a joyful heart in the Lord. Thank you, David!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, brother Alan. God Bless you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great uplifting message David, exactly the right medicine for the New Year ahead. God bless you brother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My wife and I talk often about the Joy of the Lord even in the midst of turmoil, hard times and grief. Only God can give that. I like those connected dots. Well said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are always so encouraging, Betty! You are also excellent at summarizing. You’re the first person who mentioned the haiku😊. I appreciate your stopping by today. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a powerful thought – Joy drives Change! And “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Thanks for an empowering post. Plus, it had a haiku at the end!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You betcha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, you get it David and that’s why I am grateful for our connection. It’s a soul thing my friend, powered by the love for and of our almighty God 🙌🌠🎆❤😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen. Loud and proud! Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bingo! We are winners who go out with and in joy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a pleasure to stop by. I love reading your posts. And thanks for reading and adding your thoughtful comments on my posts too. Blessings 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, G.W. This is a great scripture to go with this post! God Bless you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s sound right to me. Joy must grow from within, and God is a great seed starter!
I am sincerely grateful for your frequent comments and thankful that you stop by here often. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your 4 keys and 3 principles! I once read a quote by the author Jen Hatmaker, “If I can’t say h%#@ yes, I don’t do it.”
LikeLike
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😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to reading it. Have a wonderful day
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great stuff! I love it when God uses multiple resources to teach a lesson.
LikeLiked by 2 people