He Chose Us – Emily's Snippets

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. Ephesians 1:3-4

In this time, how can we find joy? How can we be content? Our lives are placed in turmoil with all that goes on in the world. How can we find the Joy of God?

Lyrics containing the following thoughts come to mind. Hallelujah, He’s working even now. Though we often don’t know just how God is working even now.

I learned about the joy of being chosen while in the second grade, to play Red Rover, Red Rover, send someone over! When I was chosen as the ‘someone’, it elated me.

The day I read Ephesians One, my heart stood still. He chose you, and He chose me before the foundation of the world. Going back to Genesis 1:2, I found these words: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

That is when God chose us, even before the light is created, many generations ago. I look around at the beauty of Spring and give thanks for the beauty God surrounded us within the earth He created.

He chose us before He made the towering mountains, created light so we can enjoy His Glory. He created the birds and wrote the songs they sing as they brighten our day. He provided water and the seeds for many living plants from which we can make our daily bread. He thought of the future. He created man and woman, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden. Because of their sin, they had to leave the perfect garden.

Redemption and Salvation, to ready us to live with Him, is woven into every page of the Old Testament. Generation after generation of people have lived on this earth since God created our earth.

In 2018, I learned about Nach Kommen, those who come after. This is when I learned my Grandpa prayed for me before I was born, and those who come after. Sometimes we are so concerned about the NOW, tomorrow has no meaning and no Hope.

Then I read these verses and my soul is filled with Joy and Hope, and God’s Word creates a Stronghold of Faith in my heart.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Himd because we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:56-58.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9.

During this Spring Season, we see the trees dressed in their fresh green leaves, praising God and giving thanks! These trees are ready to give shelter to every bird who has the need and to the squirrels that scurry up its trunk. How can we do any less than give thanks to the Lord, and serve Him?

Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! 1 Chronicles 16:33-34.

In John 15:9-11, we have the beginning of beauty, of being chosen through the words of Jesus. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Jesus desires to find joy in us, and our joy to be full.

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!
His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. Psalm 98:1-3.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8.

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