14/05/2013 - MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS

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Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalm 32.11

In this Psalm, there are two requirements revealed to David regarding the children of the Lord: they must be righteous and upright in their hearts. However, not everyone who is involved in the work of God meets such requirements. Many people claim to be saved, but they have many problems, are not glad in the Lord, do not live an abundant life, and are not filled with the Holy Spirit. They need to examine themselves, because they are probably not righteous or upright in their hearts.

The righteous do what the Most High commands them through his Word. The Holy Spirit never rests in his mission, as Jesus never took a break during his ministry and while acting as our Comforter. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s will each moment through his Word, and those who walk God’s path and obey him are called righteous and upright in their hearts.

Those who are upright in their hearts do not allow anything from the devil in their lives. If they make a mistake, seek the person they harmed as soon as possible to make things right. As you keep silent and try to hide your sin, you are giving the enemy authority to act in that area of your life. In fact, you are allowing Satan to enter all areas of your life in which you are hiding an error. So, take a position today and no longer allow the devil to take part in your being.

If your life lacks joy, that is because God is not present; if you do not rejoice in the Lord, you are not spiritually well. The enemy will surely suggest you other things to replace God in your life and to make you satisfied. Some people believe that their greatest satisfaction is to live close to their families, while others think that traveling is the best thing. Some people want to accumulate wealth, while others delight in lustful thoughts. Beware! Do not allow yourself to be possessed by anything that comes from the devil.

He who does not have the joy of the Lord has no power over the forces of darkness which tempt him. And when he needs, for example, to defend himself from an attack against his own life or against the life of a beloved one, he will be powerless even before the weakest demon. He may pray and cry to the Lord, and even receive prayer from a consecrated servant of the Lord, but will not be able to get rid of the devil.

To be glad in the Lord is to be visited by Jesus, who grants you faith. The Bible declares that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8.10b). If you want to be powerful in prayer, be glad in the Lord. When you act like this, your spirit will be filled with power and you will be freed from suffering and spiritual depression.

The psalmist says more: the righteous and upright in heart must not only be glad in the Lord, but also rejoice in him. No Christian who lives in isolation and is constantly complaining, is prepared for eternity; after all, we can only serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100.2). What will happen to him then?

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares