“for it is God who works in you all, to will and to do, for His good pleasure.”
–Philippians 2:13
For those who are born again by faith in Christ, life becomes something of a struggle, working to become better morally and spiritually. When we fail and sin, we hurt. That should hurt. Sin is harmful to us, to others, and to our intimacy with God. Our intimacy with God is our greatest source of joy. So sin in the life of a believer is the greatest threat to a joyful life.
The book of Philippians is a book about joy. And this verse gives us a major key to finding joy in both easy circumstances and difficult ones. It shows us how God Himself finds great pleasure when we become and do what He redeemed us to become and do. If God accomplishes this in us, we gain both the willingness to serve Him and the ability to succeed in it. We live victoriously, when God pleases Himself, by working in our lives. And that victory brings us joy.
So, then, what does it take for me to experience this joy today? Whatever my circumstances of the moment, how can I find this joy? It is by surrendering myself to the Spirit of God, Who lives in me by my faith in Christ. I must tell myself, and tell Him, that I will let Him have His will done in my life today. When I surrender everything to Him in that way, He takes my desires and turns them to His will. He does the work of making me willing to be and do what pleases Him today. And then He does the work in me of making me able to obey His will and follow His lead. The result is that I live in this hour as the man God wants me to be, and in His strength I successfully do what He wants. This pleases Him greatly, and He abundantly shares that joy with me. So I am joyful.
Pray with me, from the heart, “Holy Spirit, thank You for these promises from Your word. I need You to do these things in me today. In myself, I lack the willingness to follow and obey, and the ability to do what You say, instead of serving my flesh. But You have promised that if I let You take over my heart and mind, You will change my heart, making me willing to do what pleases You. And You will enable me to actually do what pleases You. I submit to You now, so that You can do these things. Help me throughout the day by reminding me of these things, as I meditate on Your perfect ways. I pray to the Father for all these things in the Name of Jesus, my Savior. Amen. So be it.”
Walk of Faith - Dave Bunnell 