Our church is going through a daily “Joy Writing Challenge” for the month of December. It’s a reading/writing plan by “Elihu’s Corner” (click here to read his original post). Basically, there’s a couple verses to read each day that you simply reflect on and find where God promises or gives us hope or joy.
If you want to join me in it, you can start at any time. Here’s an image of the daily reading plan and below I’ve put my thoughts on the first week of verses. You can download the plan and other resources at Elihu’s blog.
Day 1:
Our inheritance is sure and worth it.
It’s a free gift from His great mercy
It’s “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading”
And it’s guarded by God’s power so we can be sure it’s safe
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:3-5
Day 2:
If we believe in Jesus that every trial we experience will be used to mold us more into His image and for His glory. We can have joy through all circumstances knowing that nothing is wasted.
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6–7
Day 3:
Our faith in Jesus today will result in salvation and joy for eternity. Live today knowing that eternity is worth it.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8–9
Day 4:
“…blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Want to be blessed?
Believe what is spoken by God.
You may not be “blessed” how you see fit, but God promises to bless those who put their trust and faith in Him. (Psalm 1, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Matthew 7:24-27, John 20:29)
“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Luke 1:41–45
Day 5:
Today’s was a great reminder to give thanks to God and glorify Him when we celebrate His blessings. It’s easy to simply be grateful without directly giving Him thanks. Giving thanks also helps remind us that it’s by God’s mercy and grace (not our own doing) that has blessed us. How great that Mary’s testimony of “all generations will call me blessed” is one that is used to point to God’s love and grace instead of herself.
“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
Luke 1:46–49
Day 6:
Humility and the fear of God is something we cannot value enough. Such a clear example of our need to rely on Him and to stay humble before Him.
“And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”
Luke 1:50–53
Day 7:
God helped them, not out of their goodness, or even their petitions or sacrifices… but out of His mercy. And, this same mercy is passed down to all spiritual offspring of Abraham. If you believe in Jesus, then you receive the same mercy and grace from God.
“He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke 1:54–55
Day 8:
Abraham, and all of those in the Old Testament desired to see God’s ultimate redemption plan unfold, but we get to actually experience it! Jesus, Emmanuel has already come, proven His love and ability to rescue us from sin. We get to live daily under this new covenant and life that He gives us!
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
John 8:56–58
So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”