Celebrating with Joy

“For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” -Ezra 6:22

Child of the Most High God, it is time to celebrate with joy! You might be asking, “What exactly am I celebrating? You are celebrating that your miracle working God is the God who hears your cry and comes to raise you up at the proper time. He is the God who does miracles beyond your comprehension. He is a God that does everything with wonder and awe! He is a God of the impossible! This is the reason to celebrate with joy.

Now, I ask you what situation are you in? What are you asking God to do for you? Is it possible that God desires you to pray that He would change the attitude of the person that you need help from? God has many ways to answer prayer. God stands with you. He remains by your side. He is present. He is on location ready to help YOU! One way God helps us, is to change the mind, and/or the heart of a person who is stopping God’s will in your life. This verse clearly shows that. Perhaps you are dealing with a unsaved husband, or a boss that is making your life miserable. Go before God, on your knees, and ask Him, with a heart of thanksgiving and celebrating who He is and say, “God grant to me the same as you did Ezra and your people." You see, this was no easy task for Ezra, or the people, but Ezra knew who God was able to help them. In the beginning of his journey God had already touched the King’s heart to allow him to go. Ezra was the King’s cup bearer. This position was given to a highly trusted individual. The job of Ezra was to take a sip of the drink the King was going to drink and to make sure no one was trying to poison him. You could say this job was indispensable, but God allowed the King to let him go and with a letter of protection as he traveled. He knew just how his God was so powerful!

REFLECTION: "The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will," (Proverbs 21:1 ESV). As you bring your request before God, ask if the attitude change might be your heart He is looking to change, and then ask God to change the heart of the person who is causing the problem. Lay everything at the altar. Rejoice and celebrate as you bring your request to Him because He has made it possible through Jesus Christ for you to go in boldly. Once you go into the Holy of Holies, God Himself will meet you there. Put Your Hope and Trust in God!

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I will take joy in You because You, O God, are the Joy Giver, and only in You is true joy found. Thank You for Your joy being my strength. Father, I ask You to change my heart first before asking You to change anyone else's heart. Let my heart always be pliable before You so You can do Your work in my life and shape me to be more like You. I will take delight in You and drink with joy from the Well of my Salvation. I commit my life to You and ask that change begin within my heart first. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles