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“I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God:

for He has clothed me with garments of salvation,

He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness!”

 ~Isaiah 61:10

 

Blessed morning to you, my sisters, God has given us another day!

Why do I rejoice greatly in the Lord today or allow my soul to exult in my God? Did I win the lottery? Did something wonderful happen? Have I just returned from a great time of worship?  Did Pastor G smile at me? 

Actually, the Lord brought this verse to my attention this morning as I was remembering an event that happened a few years ago.  You see, Ted & I have a small real estate business where we rent rooms to university students. I love the Lord and I love people, so I thought this would be a great ministry opportunity! Actually, it has been, but I think that I’ve learned more than my tenants, lol.

One year, over winter break, three students packed up and left without my knowledge or consent. They broke their lease and cheated me out of thousands of dollars! Believe me, I was not rejoicing in God then, but lamenting and moaning to Him about the injustice of it all. What should I do? I had a legal right to take them to court. I knew where to track them down…. What was the right course of action?

I pestered God for weeks, wanting to be justified and recompensed. I even started developing an attitude of bitterness toward all the students who had treated me unfairly, small offenses and great, through the years. Not good.

Then, one Sunday morning, as I was walking and fuming, His still, small voice came to me, as clear as a bell, “Forgive them.”

What?!? My flesh raged, but my spirit knew Who was speaking to me. In an act of pure obedience I sacrificed my ‘rights’ and the payment owed to me and forgave the girls. I even wrote a letter to each of the individuals telling them that I forgave them and why. And guess what happened? Peace filled my heart! 

Best of all, I have been freed from money worries ever since because I learned that God is my source, not man! He has already given me the garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness in Jesus Christ! I am already rich beyond measure, praise His holy Name!

As believers, we ought not to have anything against anyone. Nurturing the seeds of hurt only grows into weeds of resentment. Worldly riches, such as they are, belong to the world…… and we all know they will come to an end. So, let’s remember that although we look forward to true, eternal riches in Glory, we can enjoy many of the riches of trusting in God here in the temporary!

That challenge happened a few years ago. I’ve been walking in peace and victory since then, praise God! But wouldn’t you know it, another challenge has come my way! That thief, the devil, has sent another Goliath against the little David of my business; this time, bigger and badder than what I faced before. 

I still cling to my garment of salvation and wrap my robe of righteousness even more tightly about me. I am certain that God is my source and He will see me through! I am looking forward to testifying how God wins the victory for me since the battle is already won in Him!

So, my sister, may I make a request instead of a challenge as I close this letter? Please pray for me. I don’t know what the Lord wants me to do about this situation, I only know that He wants me to trust Him with a thankful and joyful heart, and I will be content.

May the Lord make us keenly aware of just how rich we are in Christ!

With love, your sister, Celeste