For The Joy Ahead, I Will Endure The Cross

September 10

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he has clothed me with
the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with
the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself
with ornaments, and as a bride
adorns herself with her jewels."
Isaiah 61:10

The Lord showed me something unpleasant within myself and it put a huge damper on my day. Even though I worked through it before him successfully, I was kicking myself for thinking I was right when in fact I had an entirely wrong attitude.

Then I read this and the light went on. Yes truly, in spite of my struggles, I HAVE been clothed with the garments of salvation and I HAVE been given a robe of HIS righteousness, and he IS in the process of adorning me with the jewels befitting a bride.

When I finished my reading in the Old Testament, I went to the New Testament only to find that today's passage is this:

"...let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross..."
Hebrews 12:1-2

Yes, Father, for the joy set before me I WILL endure the cross, and I WILL set aside the sin which so easily ensnares me, and I WILL run this race with endurance. And how can I thank you enough for shining your light on the imperfections within me - NOT for the purpose of making me feel bad, but to bring me through to repentance which will add another jewel for this bride. Oh yes, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord!