Devotional #7       

He Turned My Mourning into Dancing

     Isaiah 29:19 declares, “The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” 

    Growing up, my mom raised me and my sisters Catholic. Once I had the born again experience, having prayed with one of my adult sisters, I felt God drawing me to the nondenominational church that she was attending. Consequently, my mom made ‘a deal’ with me. As long as I went to mass on Saturday afternoons, I was ‘permitted’ to attend ‘my sister’s church’ on Sundays. However, I was not ‘allowed’ to go to weeknight services since the late evenings would make me too tired to attend school the next day.

   As I’ve stated in several devotions, my relationship with my dad had always felt strained. On one particular evening, I felt insulted by my dad, and his words were cutting me deeply. I left the house in tears imagining that I would run away from home. My church was about two miles from where I lived. As I walked and cried, the Lord began to speak to me saying, “Don’t run from me also; come towards me.” I became so angry, questioning God, “How could you put me in a family with this man who is so mean to me?” I didn’t want to go to church. I didn’t want to satisfy my Heavenly Father who had given me such an earthly father. On the long walk to my church, obeying reluctantly, I remember saying to God, “Ok, I’ll go, but please don’t expect me to worship. I’ll sit there and plan my escape. Please don’t expect me to go home ever again!”

     Once I had arrived, the service had already begun. I found my way to the section where I preferred to sit and sat in my favorite seat. The worship team was playing one of my favorite up tempo songs. Feeling drawn to worship, I insisted to the Lord that I would not be worshipping Him that evening. I imaged how I was breaking my deal with my mom by attending church on a weeknight. HA! That would show her for marrying my dad with whom I was so angry at that night.

     In short order, the Lord encouraged me that worshipping Him would best benefit me. First, hesitantly I raised my hands. Slowly, I began to sing. My heart became more involved as I reflected on the words of the song. Then, God said, “Dance for me!” Dance? Are you kidding me? It started as a simple sway, in time I danced and wept. As I continued to dance great joy filled my heart. He had completely changed my perspective and within minutes He had truly turned my mourning into dancing.  Are you mourning today? Fear not neither be dismayed, if you give it over to the Lord He can also turn your mourning into dancing! Are you ready?

See It for Yourself: Isaiah 29:19, John 3:1-21, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 6:2, Psalm 30:10-12, 27:6, Hebrews 13:15

Prayer Focus:         

Dear Lord,

You’ll turn my mourning into dancing, if I’d just turn my pain over to You. Praise must sometimes be a sacrifice, but You are always worthy and deserving of my praise. Thank You for Your joy! Your joy is my strength!

 In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Working It Out: Praise God, especially when you don’t feel like it. He is always worthy of it and you were created to worship Him. Some scream at sports stadiums. Others shout at concerts. Declare your praises to your Creator, Redeemer and Lord! You may derive sadness or happiness from the exploits of men, but true joy comes only from the Lord!

  

“You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11