Getting Your Joy Back! Part 1
January 5, 2011 by Elder/Minister DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Behavioral & Emotional Health, Church
Do you want to hear what God has say? Spend some time in His Word!
Wise Prophets
If you listen closely to the prophets in the Bible they often forewarn the people about things that are going to happen as well as vociferously proclaim God’s Word. The word prophet in Hebrew means; spokesperson. God’s people were quite deep into sin, disobedience, civic confusion and rebellion. Isaiah reminds us that our actions have consequences.
More often than not the people did not want to hear what God had to say. They conformed more to the ways of the world than to the way of God. Right now in this 21st century things really are Not TOO much different from what was going on then. Some of everything is going on. What we are seeing are the results of man’s choices down through the generations. Many look to the ways of the world to resolve conflict and problems rather than to God. No wonder that there are so many unresolved issues. Taking into consideration what God has to say about daily living is not as much of a priority. Think about it for a moment. God is omniscient. He knows everything about everything, past present and future.
Whenever I read Isaiah, I can feel the anguish and heart wrenching despair that intensively emits forth from his soul. The Prophet Isaiah speaks forth the oracles of God. Isaiah had a very difficult mission. Quite often when you speak Truth you can expect to be labeled as “negative” or the bearer of “bad news.” Along with a lot of other flavorful words that I do not subscribe to. Usually because it shows a contrast to what someone wants to do. Isaiah was a true visionary! He had great spiritual insight. He had the arduous task of speaking to a group of despondent people.
Isaiah passionately shares of the purity of God, how powerful and loving God is and that God is a Holy God! That God is also a God of wrath. But most of all God is a God of Justice! Isaiah exalts God! He vehemently proclaims to the community at large the pitfalls of evil. Yet in return he is called everything but a child of God. He told them that the land was becoming a wasteland. He pleaded with them to turn Back to GOD!
There is a desire to bring about change!
Isaiah did not have some morbid desire to make anyone unhappy. He did not try to tell them anything just for the sake of making them feel bad. He was not a lunatic, neurotic, uncaring, self centered or mentally challenged in any way. He did not have a hidden agenda. He could see that they were suffering. It was because he was obedient to the call God had placed on his life he said the very things they did not want to hear… Although hurtful at times he did it to bring about good. To promote change and encourage the people to move towards God’s Way of life.
Look at what has been happening around us!
Today our country is slowly still recovering from the last recession. Our government even “SHUT DOWN” because President Obama and Congress were not able to agree. It “SHUT DOWN” again for and extended period of time again because President Trump and Congress could not agree. Has anyone every really considered what God would say. Is not America a country under God? Well there have certainly been a lot of decisions made that go contrary to His Word! LORD HELP US!
We are always on alert for terrorists both foreign and domestic. Yet those who make decisions in the political arena often cause much havoc in the lives of the people because they cannot come to an agreement. We should also be aware of the many things that are happening; really it’s because the principles of God have been laid aside. All one has to do is gather together a mass of people to support their cause. It does not matter what it is? Just the fact that you can get many to agree and join with you to do whatever. Man often advocates freedom without God. This really will not lead to true freedom but eventually to more chaos.
During the recession; Properties values fell drastically and are now on the rise, homes were lost, corporations were closed, careers lost, many relationships broken, unemployment rates were at an all time high, stock devalued and pensions lost. This is more results of man’s decisions. We can see the aftermath. Now divorce is at an all time high, families being pulled and torn apart, murder, crime you name it on the rise. Many things were tremendously impacted. Some things will never be quite the same.
There has been a moral decline
The moral decline is unspeakable as well. The astronomical percentage of abortions continues to increase. The plethora of mass shootings continue. Let’s not forget the continual fight to making “Marriage God’s Way” the same as same sex unions. Marriage God’s Way is “Holy Matrimony” which is between One Man & One Woman!” Now today we have many also confused about their gender?
It is important to seek the will of God Almighty above the ways of the world. God has made it clear in His Word about what constitutes marriage. He also teaches us about traveling on the broad road. But what does that matter? Check it out for yourself in His Word!
WoW! Everybody knows it and no one wants to say it. GOD IS SPEAKING in many ways! You can only ignore Him as The Creator and Sustainer of life for so long. No wonder pandemonium and mayhem have really set in. What has been happening in the dark is coming to the Light! We are seeing the influences of the prince of the power of the air. Some of everything is happening. PRAY FOR DISCERNMENT! Ask the LORD to open your spiritual eyes. In these “Latter Days” the Word of God is being fulfilled.
There really is HOPE!
But wait there is Hope! And yes there is still Joy! GOD HAS NOT CHANGED. Ultimately He has everything and everyone under his control. The battle has already been won. God is patient. He has given all of us the freedom to choose. Always keep in mind that there are consequences for the choices we make. Seek the will of the Lord daily. Life is learning how to make better decisions. God teaches us in His Word. “Those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40.
Trust the Lord!
