May Devotions: It's Time for Joy Instead of Despair
Photo by Zac Wolff
MONDAY
Start to Expect Abundant Life!
John 10:10 (NASB)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Do you expect GOOD THINGS to happen to you?
Or do you find it easier to expect BAD THINGS?
Look at how Jesus described Himself in John 10:10. God has good plans for you even in hardship. You can rest in this fact because that’s who He is and what He does—He abundantly pours out life.
So you don’t need to listen to a spirit of fear or lack where the future is concerned. Renew your mind in this area, and train yourself to think according to God’s abundance instead of the enemy’s thievery and darkness.
The next time you feel afraid or discouraged, speak the following truths out loud:
God has good plans for me!
I let go of fear and purposefully take hold of His promise of abundant life.
I WILL see the goodness of the Lord (Ps. 27:13).
Today’s prayer: Father, please help me to realize how close You are to me.
May your Monday be blessed as you find rest in God.
TUESDAY
Start to Expect God’s Nearness!
Psalm 34:18 (NASB)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Whenever you’re hurting—even when it’s because of something that seems silly or ridiculous to you, but it still hurts—God is close by.
He loves you more than you know, and your heart matters to Him. He knows why you’re struggling with this thing, and He’s here to help you carry it. Don’t be afraid to set it in His hands and then step back, trusting Him to take care of this thing for you.
Speak the following truths out loud:
The Lord is with me in a special way.
I expect to hear His voice in this season.
I WILL see the goodness of the Lord (Ps. 34:8).
Today’s prayer: Father, I choose to set these struggles in Your hand, and I know You will be faithful toward me.
May your Tuesday be blessed, and may your heart know the comfort of God.
WEDNESDAY
Start to Expect That Everything Will Work Out!
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 is a divine principle—something that is always true. Even when you feel defeated, God is working for your good. Even when you’ve done everything you can and it doesn’t seem like enough, God is working for your good. Even when you’ve messed up and fallen flat on your face, God is working for your good.
Because of Jesus, you have a good reason to hope. Even now.
Speak the following truths out loud:
I expect God to be brilliant on my behalf.
I know He’s up to good things in my life. Amazing things. Things that will bless me and my loved ones.
I WILL see the goodness of the Lord (Ps. 23:6).
Today’s prayer: Jesus, thank You that even in the darkest valley, I have hope because You’re with me.
May your Wednesday be blessed, and may your heart feel the leading of the Lord.
THURSDAY
Start to Picture Jesus as Your Shield!
Genesis 15:1 (NIV)
Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.
Jesus stands as a shield around you. It isn’t up to you to keep yourself safe. Yes, you can be wise as you go about your day—but He’s the answer. He’s bigger than you are, and He knows what He’s doing. That’s part of His job: to keep the children of God safe and protected.
Where do you feel “unprotected”? Take that area or issue to Jesus, and set it in His hands. Then listen for His voice, and write down what He says.
Speak the following truths out loud:
God is my shield.
He is my prize.
There is no reason for me to be afraid or feel like all is lost.
I WILL see the goodness of the Lord (Jas. 1:17).
Today’s prayer: Jesus, I trust You to keep me safe.
May your Thursday be blessed, and may your heart be able to feel the Lord’s fierce protection.
FRIDAY
Start to Expect That Your Prayers Matter!
1 John 5:14 (ESV)
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
What has God told you? What desires has He put on your heart? Where has He said to you, “This is what I want to do with you, so don’t be afraid”?
You are a world changer, and your prayers carry great weight. If God has put something on your heart, pray according to His will and pray boldly! Expect Him to hear you and for Him to respond with all the abundant life He’s famous for.
Speak the following truths out loud:
I expect my loving heavenly Father to hear me when I pray.
I expect to experience His joy.
I WILL see the goodness of the Lord (Ps. 145:9).
Today’s prayer: Father, please show me how You want me to pray today.
May your Friday be blessed, and may you have great courage in the Lord!
SATURDAY
Start to Expect His Blessings!
Luke 15:31 (NLT)
His father said to him, “Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.”
The world is filled with lack, but there is no lack with God. Over and over again in Scripture we see how BIG He is and how GENEROUS He is. He doesn’t run out of things the way the world does. There is miraculous provision in His presence.
Start to expect the blessings of God in your life. When you catch yourself thinking, God won’t take care of me, stop and speak God’s truth instead: “No, I will have everything I need because God is leading me and taking care of me.”
Speak the following truths out loud:
I expect to see the extravagant blessings of the Lord in my life.
He’s my Father and He provides for me.
I WILL see the goodness of the Lord (Ps. 107:1).
Today’s prayer: Father, this is my need: ___________. Please come and meet this need for me.
May your Saturday be blessed. Keep your eyes open for God’s provision.
SUNDAY
Start to Expect Joy Instead of Despair!
Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
Go back and read Isaiah 61:3 again, and allow your heart to “feel” the words. Spend a few minutes with God and your journal, and ask Him what He’s saying to YOU, specifically, through this passage.
Speak the following truths out loud:
I acknowledge the great love of the Lord for me.
I am not lost. I am not forsaken. These ashes are about to become a crown of beauty for me.
Fully, with all my heart, I expect to see the goodness of God in my life (Isa. 41:10).
Today’s prayer: Father, thank You for the way my life reveals Your glory.
May your Sunday be blessed, and may you know how much you’re loved.
Interested in more? Check out some of our other prayers and declarations:
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