Gateway to Cheerfulness

I don't know how to "hot-wire" a car and I guess that's good.  Anyway, I'm an old-fashioned key sort of gal myself!

Hope found in Christ Jesus isn't a "hot-wire" to cheerfulness -- it's The Gateway!  An intimate relationship with Him nullifies deceptive measures of contentedness, which fade with evening shadows.  The Israelites often found themselves in less than cheerful circumstances such as when they were captive in a foreign land.  God sent word to Israel through His prophet Isaiah, "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up -- the flames will not consume you." (43:2)  That sure makes deep waters and oppressive flames seem harmless! Unfortunately, the threats of flood and flame are real enough to chase away a cheerful heart.  God's faithfulness to  be with us -- that we will not drown, we will not be burned up or consumed -- is the foundation for authentic cheer-of-heart.  God's Words of promise are our claim to joy beyond measure, peace that surpasses understanding, yes … the Gateway to Cheerfulness!