“All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath,
for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly,
and He let them find Him.
So the Lord gave them rest on every side.
2 Chronicles 15:15
This happened under King Asa of Judah even to the point of putting to death anyone who “… would not seek the Lord God of Israel, whether small or great, man or woman.” (vs. 13) Notice that they rejoiced first then God made Himself known. A step of faith and acting on what we know is truth is usually the beginning of seeing God’s hand in our lives. For Judah that step was rejoicing over the promise that they made based upon a prophesy. In other words, they believed what God said through the prophet, acted on it with and oath, and then rejoiced to see what God would do. And our God is always faithful! He allowed Himself to be found.
So, joy can come from obedience to God’s word and the anticipation of waiting to see what God will do. But the key is that Asa and Judah did it with their whole heart and sought God. Don’t be a double minded believer (James 1:6). Put your whole heart into believing God’s word – and make sure that it is God’s word – then rejoice.
