Fear and Great Joy

Daily Reading: Matthew 28

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. (Matthew 28.8-9)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever felt like those women who "departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy"?  You knew God was up to something in your life, yet it seemed too great even to tell about it? 

I remember such a time when serving in my church in Concord, NC.  We were contemplating a building program, and it seemed that the Lord was calling us to go way beyond what we thought we could do.  It was to be a 1.2 million dollar project with a daycare included.  I knelt in the center of the meeting room, afraid of what we were about to do, yet feeling that God was calling us to do it.  The board gathered around me (thank God for faith-filled laypeople!) and prayed.  God came on the scene and we knew what we were to do.  We gathered our courage and went forward with the plan.

It’s not always about “church work” when God fills us with fear and joy at the same time.  I think of my son-in-law Aaron.  He is taking steps to expand his business from three stores to four.  It is a big and fearful step, yet he knows in his heart that with God’s help he can do it.  There is fear mixed with joy.

What is before you that fills you with fear and joy at the same time?  Seek the face of God!!!!  He will be with you to guide you and to help you.  Surrender your will to his, and he will meet you.  God is up to something big in your life!  Seize the day!  Seize him!

Prayer: Lord, in the midst of fear, I know that you will bring me great joy as you meet me on the way.  I fall at your feet and worship you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 94:1-7

1 The LORD is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.

2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.

3 How long, LORD, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.

5 They crush your people, LORD; they oppress your inheritance.

6 They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.

7 They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”