We are now in the home stretch of 2022, and what a year it has been! For some, the Christmas season can be a challenging time for various reasons, and for others, it is their happiest time of the year. Regardless of which category you fall into, the Lord spoke three words to me a few months ago that will keep you steady, strong, and full of faith as you head into this next year, “Tread and Rejoice!”
Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
In this passage, Jesus points out that our rejoicing should not be an up-and-down act dependent upon the circumstances around us. This very situation that Jesus addressed, when the disciples came back rejoicing that the devils were subject to them, was an “up” moment for the disciples. I can only imagine how excited they must have felt. However, the fact that our names are written in heaven is a CONSTANT truth, and that constant truth is reason enough to rejoice. Your name written in heaven was true yesterday, it is true today, and it will be true tomorrow. Therefore, your reason for rejoicing never changes!
Smith Wigglesworth would begin every single day dancing before the Lord, simply rejoicing in his salvation and who he was in Christ. It did not take any kind of miracle in his ministry (though he had miracles) to rejoice. It was his lifestyle. There are times when you may have to stand in front of the mirror and preach to yourself who you are in Christ. But regardless of how you feel, DO IT, and you will experience that joy rising up within you.
James 1:2-3, “My brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
God wants you perfect and entire, wanting NOTHING! It is interesting that this passage brings out the necessity of JOY when going through different tests and trials. When your joy is working, you’re able to stay in faith.
James 1:5-6, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.”
As this passage continues, we find that from that place of unwavering faith, where our joy remains constant, we can ask God for wisdom, and He will give it to us. Oftentimes when going through a difficult situation, from a position of fear because of what the circumstances are saying, the temptation arises to ask God to remove us out of that situation and make it disappear. While there may be supernatural manifestations like that, more often than not, there is no escape from the situation you find yourself in, yet the wisdom of God will give you the next step to take. Then step by step, day by day, and moment by moment, if you’ll stay in faith by rejoicing, you’ll eventually find yourself on the other side of that situation, leaving your tread marks all over the enemy.
Friend, God wants us rejoicing our way out of 2022 and into 2023. Invite joy into your home and into all of your times of gathering with family this Christmas season. People of joy are contagious, and they are able to alter the surrounding atmosphere. We all know people who can bring an atmosphere “down” because of their bad attitude and negative outlook on life. But we as children of the most High God have the ability to raise the awareness of the greatness of God by being people of joy!
Finally, as you prepare to enter into 2023, examine your love walk. God wants us to be clean, and in order to be clean, you can’t have anything against anyone. Walk in love toward the brethren. God has promotion for you, but it will require you to stay in faith by walking in love and continually rejoicing.
Remember, your name written in Heaven remains constant. Therefore your reason for rejoicing does not waver based on the surrounding circumstances. Make rejoicing every day, and every moment of the day, an exercise of your faith.
When you understand that you are a supernatural, redeemed child of God living in a natural, cursed world, you’ll be leaving your tread marks all over the enemy, fulfilling Jesus’ instruction in Luke 10:19, Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nothing means NOTHING!
Phyllis and I love you. We pray this Christmas and New Year will be the best you have ever had!