Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today, Sharee Gaiser shares her thoughts on how loving God with all your soul can fill you with joy.

Our scripture is found in Mark 12:30 (NIV):

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

It seems ironic that, with this month’s topic of joy, I feel the way I do. Joy is not a word I would have used to describe my demeanor this past month. Far from it!

Someone dear to me received an unexpected health diagnosis and underwent surgery. I experienced health challenges and the worry that comes with waiting for results. As a glass is a half-empty gal, it was easy to let my soul slide into sorrow and stress.

After losing the spring in my step, I knew my soul needed a good dose of joy!

Sure, I could watch a funny movie, play games with friends, or dance in the rain. While these things may bring a smile, I needed joy in my soul that could only come from the Holy Spirit and the fruit of his work in me. It’s that feeling you can hold onto even when life is out of control.

Author John Piper explains, "Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.”

Looking at our circumstances and letting our souls settle in sadness is tempting. Yet God longs for our souls to overflow with joy, where good feelings flourish. Then, our circumstances will not diminish our joy but fill us with praise because God is in control, and we can laugh in the face of trouble.

Isaiah 61:10-11 (NIV) is such an encouragement to me. In these verses, Isaiah speaks of the ministry of Jesus, the Messiah. As I read these verses aloud, something happens deep in my soul; there is a shift from my circumstances to God and all He has done for me through Jesus. If I choose to find my joy in God, He will make righteousness and praise spring up! I feel joy swell within at the thought of God’s gifts of salvation and righteousness!

Listen to these beautiful words, friends:

I delight greatly in the LORD;

   my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

   and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up

   and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness

   and praise spring up before all nations.

I’ve walked with Jesus long enough to know He is my only trustworthy source of joy. Friend, joy is always to be found in the Lord. Today, may you declare: “My soul shall be joyful in my God, the God of my salvation!”

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com/