Saturday // 31st August 2024
Guard YOUR JOY!
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
John 16:22
This is a sad fact that we have all been robbed by Satan, at one time or another, whether he stole our material goods (property, money, jobs, and so on) or less tangible things, such as our health, relationships, ministry efforts, peace, and joy. How is he able to do it? When Satan attacks us, we are too quick to get depressed and discouraged. Then, we usually open our big mouth, complain, and speak words that are in direct opposition to the Word of God. In doing so, we let the devil walk off with our stuff! Many of us just hand over our stuff to the devil without a fight. Now, unless we force him to give it back, according to Mark 3:27, he’ll keep it indefinitely! No amount of whining will make him feel sorry for you or prompt him to give back your health, put money back in your bank account, or fix your marriage! Do not be naive; the words that come out of your mouth in response to the attack determines if the devil can keep your goods! Consider this: The Word of God produces joy —and no man can take away your joy. Only you can give it up!
Joy has a voice. What does it say? “Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever’” (Jeremiah 33:11). Remember, a voice is audible. You cannot be defeated as long as you still have your joy. Habakkuk 3:18 says, “Yet I will rejoice.” The devil doesn’t know what to do when he has launched an attack against you, and you just keep on praising the Lord! The devil is allergic to praise; so, make him miserable by sincerely saying “praise the Lord” ten times, and get back your joy. Then, speak the Word and demand the devil give your stuff back! Hallelujah 🙌🏻
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin