Daily Reflections From God's Word

Tag: Hope

  • Happiness vs Joy – There Is a Difference

    In a 2014 sermon, Victoria Osteen told her audience that “God wants you to be happy.” The sentiment seems harmless. After all, what parent doesn’t want their child to be happy?

    But there’s a problem when happiness is confused with joy.

    The two words are similar in definition, but completely different in application. And for believers, that distinction makes all the difference in the world.

    Merriam-Webster defines:

    • Happiness as “a state of well-being and contentment.”
    • Joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or the prospect of possessing what one desires.”

    The Bible supports this distinction. Happiness is mentioned only 25 times. Joy appears over 165 times—and it’s often tied to hardship.

    • “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
    • “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psalm 126:5)
    • “I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them.” (Jeremiah 31:13)

    Joy is not the absence of sorrow—it’s the presence of hope.

    It’s the deep, inner assurance that God is with us, that He is for us, and that His promises are true even when life is falling apart. That’s why joy is still possible even in grief.

    That definition—“the prospect of possessing what one desires”—rings especially true for the Christian life. When our desire is God Himself, then joy becomes our constant companion, no matter what storms roll in.

    Happiness can come from circumstances.
    Joy comes from Christ.

    Happiness is a state of mind.
    Joy is a state of being.

    We can live without temporary happiness if we’re filled with eternal joy. And that’s what I choose.

    I choose joy. Do you?

  • The Bargain and the Broken Box

    On Holy Wednesday, two people made two very different decisions—one sold the Savior, and the other poured everything out at His feet.

    It began with a cold exchange. Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests—not the other way around.

    “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” (Matthew 26:15).

    There’s no emotion in the text.

    Just calculation.

    He didn’t plead or wrestle.

    He named the price of betrayal and took the deal.

    Thirty pieces of silver.

    The cost of a slave.

    That’s what they believed Jesus was worth.

    That’s what Judas accepted.

    We can almost picture the smirk on Caiaphas’ face, the scribes nodding in approval, the money counted out and dropped into Judas’ hand with a metallic clink.

    Done deal.

    The Son of God sold for pocket change.

    No prayer.

    No hesitation.

    Just a transaction.

    A soul for sale.

    But while Judas was closing his bargain, a broken woman was stepping into a Pharisee’s house to pour out her heart.

    The setting couldn’t have been more different. Jesus was dining at the home of Simon the Pharisee when a woman walked in carrying an alabaster flask of fragrant oil. Luke 7 describes her only as “a sinner.” Her name isn’t mentioned here, but many believe this was Mary Magdalene—a woman who knew what it meant to be shunned, whispered about, and cast aside.

    She didn’t ask to speak.

    She didn’t make a scene.

    She just knelt behind Jesus and wept.

    Tears poured from her soul before any oil left the jar.

    She wiped His feet with her hair.

    She kissed them.

    Then she broke open the alabaster box and anointed Him with perfume that would’ve cost nearly a year’s wages.

    CeCe Winans captures the moment in the song “Alabaster Box”:

    “I can’t forget the way life used to be, I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound…But I’ve come to pour My praise on Him like oil, From my alabaster box.”

    While Simon judged her silently, Jesus told a parable: two debtors, one owing much and the other little. Both were forgiven. “Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:42). Simon answered, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

    And Jesus said, “You have rightly judged.” Then turning to the woman, He said, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (v. 47)

    Both Judas and Mary encountered Jesus face to face.

    Both had the chance to respond to who He truly was.

    One chose betrayal.

    One chose brokenness.

    One calculated what Jesus was worth.

    The other couldn’t put a price on what He had done for her.

    And today, we stand in that same tension.

    Will we grow so familiar with Jesus that we start measuring His worth in silver? Or will we fall at His feet in worship, tears, and surrender?

    Holy Wednesday reminds us: It’s not how far you’ve fallen—it’s how deeply you realize you’ve been forgiven.

    Let’s not hold back. Let’s break the box.

    Prayer: Lord, don’t let my love grow cold. Break through my pride and self-reliance. Remind me of the mercy that found me. Teach me to pour out my worship freely and to never withhold what You deserve. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • Finding Strength When Life Gets Heavy

    1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) – “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”

    You ever have one of those days where it feels like life’s throwing everything it’s got at you? Bills piling up, work stress mounting, maybe a family squabble or two—everything just feels heavy, like a thick fog you can’t seem to shake off. We’ve all been there, feeling as if fate itself is just out to get us. But here’s the thing—you’re not alone in that struggle.

    Take King David, for example. He knew a something about life’s curveballs. Between facing battles, betrayers, and heartbreak, David had his fair share of tough days. Yet amidst the chaos, he found a way to rise. In 1 Samuel 30:6, we see David in a real tight spot…his own people were ready to take him down. But rather than wallow in despair, David took a moment to regroup; he chose to encourage himself “in the LORD his God.”

    Even when God’s hand didn’t seem to be readily visible, David was vocal about His greatness. He was lifting his own spirit, reminding himself that no matter how dire the situation seemed, God is still mighty, faithful, and always with us.

    That’s a lesson that hits home. How often do we let negativity seep in, flooding out our faith? Just like David, we might need to take a step back and remind ourselves of the blessings and strength God has given us in the past. We all have our “God stories,” moments that we’ve seen him work miracles or simply help us through the rough patches.

    So, what should we do when life tries to pin us down? Let’s dive into the word of God and declare those over 7,000 truths and promises over our situations. When you start reminiscing about all the times God came through for you, it’s like lighting a spark in your spirit. It helps bring clarity when everything seems heavy and dark.

    Today, lean into David’s tenacity. Speak those promises of God like an old friend whispering in your ear. Remember, you are not alone in this; you have the strength of a loving God behind you. That makes you more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). So, let that faith reshape those gloomy feelings and push you forward with hope and grace.

  • The Paradox of Lamentations 3: Hope Amid Despair

    The Book of Lamentations, attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, is a profound exploration of grief, suffering, and hope. Chapter 3 stands as a stark paradox, intertwining anguish with glimpses of hope, serving as a reflection of the human experience filled with both despair and optimism.

    At first glance, Lamentations 3, as with the first two chapters, appears overwhelmingly bleak. Jeremiah expresses deep sorrow over the devastation of Jerusalem, visualizing it as a city stripped of life and hope. Verses 1-18 recount his despair, revealing feelings of abandonment and pain: “He has made my flesh and my skin waste away; he has broken my bones.” The vivid imagery captures the agony of loss, illustrating the weight of collective suffering. It resonates with those experiencing their own struggles — grief, betrayal, or heartbreak.

    However, paradoxically, amid the darkest moments, there emerges a flicker of hope. In verses 19-24, the tone shifts dramatically as Jeremiah boldly affirms, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” He reflects on God’s unchanging nature and steadfast love, declaring that His mercies are new every morning. This juxtaposition of despair and faith stands as a poignant reminder of the complex nature of navigating grief and adversity.

    Jeremiah teaches us the importance of acknowledging pain while also seeking hope. This duality is crucial; it allows us to grieve while holding on to the light, keeping faith alive in the storm. The paradox of Lamentations 3 encourages us to recognize that even when life feels unbearable, there is room for hope and renewal.

    As we engage with this beautiful yet complicated message, we are reminded that though life’s circumstances may change, our connection to God must remain steadfast. Lamentations 3 reassures us that we can find solace and peace, even when enduring hardship. It cultivates a profound understanding that hope can coexist with despair, and reaffirms the promise that we are never truly alone in our suffering.

    In our lives today, we may face our own Lamentations moments. Let us strive to honor our feelings while seeking the hope that Jeremiah exemplifies — recognizing that even in the depths of despair, the capacity to hope is a powerful force within us.