Joy and Rejoicing

There are many things to mourn over this morning. I have not yet opened a news site, but I'm quite sure there is news to cause mourning already today. The word 'but' can be an interjection in a sentence when the first part needs to be rerouted. The verse our Lord has given today can reroute us from the doom and gloom of the world into a different way:

But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
​​For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing,
​​And her people a joy. (Isaiah 65:18)

Paul thought that we should rejoice in his time: "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4) James instructed us to count it all joy when we fall into various temptations (Jas 1:2) Just over a century ago, Charles Spurgeon didn't believe we should wait for the new creation, but rejoice right now in what God has created. All of our Christian life seems to be a rerouting from what the world serves up to us to where God would have us to be.

A terrible thing happened on any given day, BUT! be glad and rejoice in the Lord. One might not feel very well on a morning, BUT! rejoice in the Lord always. Jerusalem is a city of contention among nations and religions in this age, BUT! God says Jerusalem is a rejoicing and her people a joy. What happened there? I guess we can see the difference between the world as it is today and God as He is today. One great day, the Lord's word will be fulfilled and there will be joy and rejoicing!

Have a joyful day in Christ!
Bucky