For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Our opening Scripture tells us that we are the circumcision that worship God by the strength of the Spirit, and rejoice in our union with Christ, and have no confidence in the arm of flesh. Everyone that is in Christ has a circumcision that is inward, not external; a circumcision made without natural hands, a circumcision of Christ that is spiritual. When you got born again, you partook of a spiritual circumcision, which is the peeling off of the old nature and life of sin and dependance on the flesh, and an imparting of a new nature and life of righteousness that is totally dependent on God and on His grace. We have received a new life in union with Christ. We no longer belong in the order of the old life of defeat and subjugation to Satan and his cohorts. Hallelujah! Therefore, our rejoicing is in Christ; our confidence is in God. We have no confidence in the flesh. We only rejoice in Christ and what He has done for us. We rejoice in the finished works of Christ for us. Hallelujah! We bask in the glory of Jesus’ finished work for us; He has done great things for us, He has wrought a great victory for us in His substitution for us, for which we are grateful and joyful.
We rejoice from the understanding of what Christ has done for us, not from sensory perception of our situation. We alter the course of nature as we rejoice in the revelation of the finished works of Christ for us. We have something to shout about. As you rejoice in Jesus’ victory for you, the wisdom of God is activated in you. Wisdom is one of the springs of life, and joy is the way of life. In Psalm 16:11, the Word tells us, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Rejoicing attracts the manifest presence of the Lord, and in the presence of the Lord, the path of life, God’s eternal pleasures are abundantly made manifest. Herein is the fountain of wisdom. You see your way through life and out of every situation as you rejoice in Christ’s finished works for you. Refuse to be depressed! Rejoice in the victory that Christ has won for you. Don’t ignore the victory of Jesus that was won for you at Calvary! Give God praise benevolently and joyfully.
My Solid Front (Confession):
Thank You Heavenly Father, for You are true to Your Word. I repose absolute faith in Your word, fixing my gaze on the precious promises You have written concerning me in the Word. I refuse to be moved by my situation. Your word alone is my consideration and I rejoice in You continually! Amen.
Further Meditation:
Psalms 132:9; Psalms 33:21.