Where Joy And Peace Originate

Last evening I was literally overflowing with joy. After an emotional couple of days, I was starting to run dry. You know that feeling - you know you're supposed to be strong and happy and enduring, but there's just nothing left.

Then we went to church. Our midweek service was ordered by the Lord especially for me.

And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame. And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. 2 Samuel 19:24-27

I needed to hear about Mephibosheth waiting for the king to return. His devotion gave me encouragement.

I needed to hear about him purposing in his heart to be exactly the same way he was when David last saw him. That gave me desire to be separate from the world.

I needed to hear about Mephibosheth standing strong even when there were lies and slander all around him. That gave me strength for the fight.

If you've been following along with our Bible devotions here, you'll remember that I just wrote about Mephibosheth a few days ago. Those words are just as true when my own heart was lacking as when I wrote them for others.

Remember the words you say to encourage other people - there will come a day when you need to hear them yourself. And remember the words of encouragement that you're given when times are tough - there will come a day when you'll need to share them.

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