Romans 12:15
The scripture for today is Romans 12:15
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
Our experiences in life can produce feelings that run the emotional gamut. Those experiences, however, do not dictate nor diminish our faith in God. Faith is not measured by feelings; we believe, irrespective of how we feel. God does not change His mind about us because we feel bad or have a negative experience. He is unchangeable, and our faith in Him should be also. When we feel good, God is still God and our faith in Him is steadfast. When we do not feel good, God is still God and our faith in Him remains the same. Our faith is based on God’s word, not on the flesh or the emotional responses of the flesh.
Emotions are normal, but we should not equate the expression of emotions with the lack of faith. The joy of the Lord comes from our hearts, not our flesh. We can have the joy of the Lord in our hearts, even in the midst of emotional upheaval. The joy of the Lord is an experience that the devil cannot counterfeit, neither can he take it away. It is as real as the word of God itself. It produces strength in the heart of the child of God regardless of the emotional challenge that he or she may be facing. It is from the position of belief and trust in God that we can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We, from a position of faith, can bring comfort in any circumstance or situation. We identify with our brothers and sisters because we also are subject to the same conditions.
Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem and wept. He experienced sorrow because of the condition of those who had rejected His message of salvation. Their condition did not deter His faith and mission, nor did He lose His joy, but the feelings of sorrow were real.
We are admonished to be one with those to whom we minister, allowing them to experience the full expression of their emotions while maintaining a strong faith in the Lord. By so doing, we will show the love of Christ and comfort those whom He died to save.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim