Psalm 33:21 - No Wonder We Are Happy In The Lord!
Psalm 33:21 (NIV) In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Whenever I get to visit my daughter's
family, I always enjoy the dinner conversations. One
evening, four-year-old Lilah gazed across the table
at her big brother, age nine, and asked,
"Roman, what's it like to be so handsome?" She
sighed. We all chuckled and watched Roman shake his
head as he kept on eating. Then, without looking
up from his plate, he responded, "Okay, you
want to know the worst thing about being
handsome? Your legs get tired from running away from
all those girls."
We got a good laugh out of Roman's
observation, but later I decided it perfectly illustrates
the old adage: "Be careful what you wish for."
Wise words, because often what I long for may
come with unexpected drawbacks. Our culture works
overtime to make us dissatisfied with who we are and
what we have. It's easy to fall into the trap of
thinking how much happier we would be if we were only
better looking, richer, thinner, more talented,
more successful, or - whatever. Sometimes I
forget that all these things can vanish in a
moment's time or gradually fade with the passing
years.
Although I may not always realize it, I
am created with a need to know my Creator. The
only path to true, lasting joy and fulfillment is
to know Jesus personally. To live every day
conscious of His presence and His everlasting love for
me. I don't have to just wish for those
blessings; He offers them freely. Dianne Neal Matthews
Faith Step: Have you been wishing for
something that you think would increase your
happiness? Ask Jesus to take away that desire if it's
not His will for you. Tell Him why He is your
main source of joy and fulfillment. [Mornings
With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
My boys love superhero movies. I won't
lie; so do I. They each have a favorite hero. And
I love any story with a good ending. In the
battle of good versus evil, we want to see the good
guy win. During those treacherous movie moments,
when all hope is lost, people break out cheering
in the theater when the hero swoops in and
saves the day.
There is something in all of us that
longs for a hero in our world. We want someone to
leap to our defense when we are in trouble. We
want someone to find us and pull us from the
dark. We want a savior. We wish we knew someone
who had special powers and super strength. We
forget, on a regular basis, that we do. Jesus.
He conquered death. He broke the power of
sin over us. He breathes life into us. He sets
captives free and cracks open the darkness with the
light of His everlasting love. Jesus is the
healer. He is the provider. He is the miracle
worker. He is our righteousness. He is our
deliverer. Jesus is our present help in times of
trouble. There is no superpower that He does not
possess.
How can we forget how He came into our
lives and transformed us? How can we forget the
power of His incomparable love that surrounds us?
How can we forget that the entire reason He came
to earth was to save us? His beloved. This is
why we can rejoice and break out cheering. Jesus
always wins. by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Faith Step: Jesus came to earth to save
you! Take a moment to cheer about that! Tell
Him how you will always place your trust in Him.
[Mornings With Jesus 2019 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
CLOSING THOUGHT
The Word that created and controls the
universe can also control your life. When you trust
His Word and obey it, all the universe works for
you. When you abandon that Word, all the universe
works against you (Jon. 1). [Chapter by Chapter
Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Put your hope in Me, and My unfailing
Love will rest upon you. Some of My children have
forgotten how to hope. They have been disappointed so
many times that they don't want to risk being let
down again. So they forge ahead stoically--living
mechanically. Other people put their hope in problem
solving, medical treatments, the stock market, the
lottery, and so on. But I challenge you to place your
hope fully in Me.
No matter what is happening in your life
now, your story has an amazingly happy ending.
Though the way ahead may look dark to you, there is
brilliant, everlasting Light at the end of your
earth-journey. My finished work on the cross secured this
heavenly hope for you, and it is absolutely assured.
Moreover, knowing that your story finishes well can
fill your present journey with Joy. The more you
put your hope in Me, the more My Love-Light
shines upon you-- brightening your day. Remember
that I am with you continually, and I Myself am
your Hope! (Psa. 33:20-22; Tit. 1:2; 1Ti. 1:1)
[Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Revelation 3:20 - An Invitation For
Relationship With Divinity.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220506-0938.html
Ephesians 4:30 - Living a Spirit-Controlled
Life.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220614-1043.html
Romans 8:6 - HOLY SPIRIT LIVING ! ! !
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220613-1114.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
