true joy.

I have been doing a reading plan since the beginning of this year. Sometimes I struggle with it because I am reading through the more "boring" books of the Bible. I have been reading Isaiah lately, and I am getting so much out of it especially in this particular season of my life. 

I was reading Isaiah 54-58 this morning, and God really encouraged me through it ( I love when that happens).  This morning, the Lord reminded me and gave me a wonderful example of what true joy is. I have known for a while that there is a difference between joy and happiness. Joy is something only the Lord can give; whereas, happiness is usually a result of a circumstance. Isaiah 54:1 says, "Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor." In this verse, God is speaking of Israel (Jerusalem) and he is relating it to a mother without a child. Back in the time of this being childless was shameful. God used this verse this morning to teach me that there is so much to be joyful about then temporary circumstances here on earth. It can be so easy to get jealous of others or to throw a pity party for ourselves when we see others HAPPY in life, but even when we don't have a lot of happiness, we can receive JOY from the Lord which is far greater than happiness and remember that we have something greater awaiting us if we are in Christ: our treasure, Jesus. We can be reminded in this that this is not our home, and our time on earth is so short in comparison to eternity.