Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." Let's start taking back our joy, taking back our peace, taking back what our foolishness gave away and Satan stole. Joy and peace are the byproducts of obedience to and fellowship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The peace that God offers does not come from getting and hoarding material things or satisfying the lusts and desires of our flesh. God created us with an empty spot that cries out to be filled. In reality He made that spot for His own dwelling place, but with our sinful natures we usually try to fill it with anything but God. We so often think that just filling our eyes, ears, and bellies with flesh tickling "substances" will somehow take care of the emptiness, but it never seems to. Instead of relieving the pain and providing us with the peace, joy and security that we crave, we find our situation worse rather than better. We are brought back to Matt. 6:33 but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." That kingdom is righteousness joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. The righteousness is the righteousness of Christ in which He clothes us. The peace and joy come as we are associated with Him. The joy becomes our strength. The peace comes from knowing that all is well between us and God.

Taking It Back