Daily Devotions
"I'm Not Gonna Let the Devil Steal My Joy!"
Reading for November 25th: Romans 4-7
Weekly reading for November 22-28: John 16-21
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
John 16:22
Katie Stevenson has known a lot of sorrow in her lifetime. She's had to live with chronic pain and health concerns; had two homes to burn down; raised her children and other's children as a single mom; lost two children at birth, one to cancer, and one because of murder. And that is just the beginning of the struggles she's dealt with in her life.
But she continues on with a steadfast faith in God and a determination that she is going to live her life with joy. In fact, one of her favorite phrases is the statement, "I'm not going to let the Devil steal my joy!"
There's a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is what happens to you. It is purely circumstantial. It depends on the weather, the economy, and other factors that are completely out of our control. Happiness is not guaranteed to anyone. It can be illusive and fleeting. To someone like Miss Katie, it does not usually last very long.
Joy, however, does not depend on circumstance. Joy is something more permanent and deep seated because it is anchored in the unchangeable promises of God. It is like the depths of the ocean. While the waters on the top of the sea may be disturbed by violent winds, deep down below all of that there is perfect calm and peace. That's joy.
Father, give us peace, rest, and even joy in the midst of our storms.
