FAITH CAPSULE: Regardless of your challenge, approach God with thanks and joy.

Job 1 

Giving thanks to God should be rooted in the heart, not just in the tongue.
One that knows to give thanks to God should approach God with joy. Ephesians 5:20 states, “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 
Do you know to give thanks to access to the presence of God?
Be thankful and be joyful before God.
The Bible records, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)  
Psalm 9:2, “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to your name, O most High.” Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of joy…” Proverbs 8:30, “…I was daily His delight, rejoicing, always before Him.” The scriptural verses testify that without joy, God is not accessible. Apostle Paul stated well, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) The calling for joy by the Apostle Paul was expressed with simplicity, emphasis, and with a shout!
In every meeting with God, all His children must go before Him with joy. To come before God is celebrating with joy, the evidence of a thankful heart.
Let it be clear to you that the evil one never shies away from where there is a joy, but with his plan to convert one with joy to sadness. 
Also, let it be aware to you that your calling is to maintain your joy regardless of challenges. 
In the life of Job, Satan was at work to turn around joy to sad of Job.
The book of Job 1:6-7records, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So, Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job 1:6-7) 
Every interruption of Satan is always with bad intentions. 
The Satan is empowered to go to and fro looking for one to devour. 
It was the Satan that initiates pain for Job while he was where the sons of God are gathering in His presence. Bible documents, “But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So, Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” (Job 1:11-12) 
Can you imagine how the wicked one delivered every form of affliction over the life of Job? 
In between and through it all, Job did not complain before God and did not condemn God. Job cried to God, and he eventually received more blessings after his time of testing times, than when he first started to enjoy all that God bestowed upon him.

Prayer for today: Ask with joy, give a heartful thanks to God, for all things.