The Joy of the Lord in scripture and a song

  I was watching TV this afternoon while my son ate his lunch and I popped on facebook to scroll through the feed. Right away I see a post from Casting Crowns. 


**Hey believer. The enemy is coming after your time in God's word today. Punch him in the face and read: 2 Corinthians 4. I dare ya**

TV on pause and began to read the 4th chapter of 2 Corinthians. As I was reading along I started singing "Yes Lord, yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord Amen." My son said "Mom why are you singing while reading?" At that point it hit me why I was singing. I had just read "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 8-9). And low and behold my disease came about. See I have this "disease" of song lyrics popping in my head and coming out of my mouth when I hear "key words." This happens all the time!! It is really bad when reading the Psalms. Some may think it is fun and silly but I say it is seriously distracting. I had to go play the song Trading my Sorrows so I could get it out of my head long enough to finish the passage. 


   I finally finished the challenge reading and the funniest thing happened! My four year old son started singing "I'm trading my sorrow, yes Lord yes yes yes yes Lord, AMEN!" (the amen was sung at the top of his lungs).


   While 2 Corinthians 4 was a great read I truly believe I was meant to see this "challenge" to read the passage to cause my disease to pop up to remind me of one of my favorite songs to remember my favorite part of the song: I'm blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure. And His joy's gonna be my strength. What a wonder God is with the way He links several small things together to make a big picture!!! These words were a beautiful reminder that no matter what I am currently going through or how how I am feeling today I will always have the strength to make it through because God love's me, and God is joyful to be my friend and with him by my side and Jesus in my heart nothing will ever get me down!!


  I challenge YOU to read 2 Corinthians 4 and see what you get from the reading. We all will need something different from each of the scriptures we read. I hope it fills you with joy as much as it did me!