Song for the day and more

When we try to do things in our own strength we will grow tired and weary Isaiah 40:30-31 "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." When I look to God for my joy and strength, I allow what I want to be replaced with what Jesus wants, but I must be willing to allow God to change me.

If we look at the plite of the Israelite's we will see there struggles walking and waiting to get into the promise land, they wanted it in their time, they wanted it in their way and they didn't want to follow what God wanted, they were more concerned with how difficult it was and how hard life was, then realizing that God wanted to change them. How often am I like the Israelite's, I grumble and complain about the difficulties of life, I don't want to hear the hard truth, I want the easy, I want people to just not tell me what I am doing wrong, but I want to be coddled like a child, not corrected, not disciplined, I want to get to the promise land with no work. If I just ride the wave and hope that I will get there, not putting any effort into what God wants to do in my life. I want the easy way, but God has shown me over and over again in the Bible what happens to people who want the easy things, they get lost in Egypt. I don't want to be put into slavery in Egypt, I want to hear the hard truths, to grow, to be changed and transformed, not by myself, but by God and the renewing of my mind, moment by moment. Romans 12:2 "2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Do I want the easy ways, do I want to become a slave to the sins as the Israelite's did or do I want to come alive in Jesus? It takes work, it takes making choices and not just going along with the crowd. Do I want to be those that follow or those that lead? I want to lead. A great leader, must first learn how to follow, it isn't about going ahead of the group, but being a part of them. People often think that leading they are going first, but a true leader learners how to lead from within. 

God wants us to lead, He wants us to learn and grow. God is trying to change each of us, He wants a people that is strong in Him, not the ones that go along with the crowd. He wants people to learn how to follow Him, the hard truths, before they will be able to lead even the smallest of us. Am I willing to learn how to follow and learn to follow Jesus Christs instructions, He is clear on what He wants, am I walking in His truth or my own?

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"Joy Of The Lord"

Though the tears may fall my song will rise
My song will rise to You
Though my heart may fail my song will rise
My song will rise to You
While there's breath in my lungs
I will praise you Lord

In the dead of night I’ll lift my eyes
I’ll lift my eyes to You
Though the waters rise I’ll lift my eyes
I’ll lift my eyes to You
While there's hope in this heart
I will praise You Lord

The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength

When I cannot see You with my eyes
Let faith arise to You
When I cannot feel Your hand in mine
Let faith arise to You
God of mercy and love
I will praise You Lord

How You shine with glory Lord of light
I feel alive with You
In Your presence now I come alive
I am alive with You
There is strength when I say
I will praise You Lord

The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength

When sorrow comes my way
You are the shield around me
Always You remain
My courage in the fight

I hear You call my name
Jesus I am coming
Walking on the waves
Reaching for Your light

The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength