In this fourth week of Advent, our focus is on joy. Today’s devotion helps us understand how an attitude of joy can transform our lives and set us free from being enslaved by circumstances:

WORD We usually focus on the second half of this verse: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” That’s encouraging because it reminds us that whatever weakness we have, whatever hardships we go through, God’s strength is available to us. But for us to consider these things a matter of delight is another issue altogether.
Most of us don’t rejoice in our trials. We don’t jump up and down with excitement and say, “Oh, how wonderful! Now God’s strength can show up in my life in a new way!” No, we lament the trial, ask God to remove it—as Paul did with his—and console ourselves with the hope that somehow, imperceptible as it might be, God’s strength will help us endure. We press ahead in spite of our circumstances. God has something more in mind for us than simply enduring.
There are times when endurance is our main lesson or foremost duty, but it isn’t God’s primary purpose for us. No, His primary purpose is to use our lives as a platform for His power and grace. We are the stage He performs on. When we have some semblance of self-sufficiency, God is a backstage character without any lines. But when we have deep needs and hard trials, He has an opportunity to come into the spotlight. He steps into the drama of our lives as the main character, and whatever He does—assuming that we let Him—is better than what would have happened if we had never had trouble in the first place.
IN DEED That’s why your attitude in trouble can be one of delight and joy. It seems absurd, doesn’t it? To celebrate insults, persecutions, and hardships is not a natural reaction. But Jesus told His disciples that they were blessed if they were violently opposed, that adverse circumstances and spiritual attacks were a cause of great joy (Matthew 5:11). When trials come, take them to God in prayer. But don’t linger in your lament. Celebrate the opportunity your trials give Him to do something great. “All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them.” – Hudson Taylor (in “God With Us” by Chris Tiegreen)

The coming of Jesus transforms bad situations. They no longer trap and enslave us, but trials are transformed into opportunities to experience God’s power of salvation. The question is whether we are willing to turn to the Lord and give Him the opportunity to fulfill His plans for us.
Take time this week until Christmas to reflect on Psalms 139 – 150. Use the psalms to allow the Holy Spirit to help you develop a right attitude that transforms despair into joy. Let the power of Christmas prepare you for the New Year. Have a blessed week! - from Singapore, Pastor Sam