3-30-06 Isaiah 65:18

Isaiah 65:18 (KJ21)
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

Isaiah 65:18 (NAS)
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing, And her people for gladness.

Isaiah 65:18 (NIVUS)
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

Isaiah 65:18 (NLT)
Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy.

At one time you may have thought that Adonai was hard and difficult to please. It is true that He sets high standards for His people, but that is only for your welfare and protection. He knows, as should you, that the wages of sin is death and He desires you to have life, not death. He, therefore, puts before you the way that leads to life.

An important part of life is rejoicing and exultation. The Lord your God wants you to be full of joy and gladness. Sadness and bitterness are not yours. The joy that the Almighty has ordained for you is not temporary. He wants to see you rejoicing continually and forever throughout eternity. You should take pleasure in all that He has created--the heavens above, the earth beneath, mankind and animals.

Peace is another aspect of life that you should experience continually. Adonai created Jerusalem as a place where His peace could reside, but His peace also resides in you. He pours it over you like rain. You know you can live at peace for the Lord God has made you whole and complete. He has restored you to soundness, so that you would have a good life.

Therefore, keep on rejoicing in God's city of peace and His people. Remember that the Lord God created you to experience continual joy and that is the best way to live!