The The Joy of Constraint - Every Knee Will Bow and Every Tongue Confess Jesus is Lord

The rebellious have fallen. We who accept the rod and staff of Jesus as our comfort will be lead to a place of God’s abundance. God may chastise us and allow heavy burdens to come upon us to test us. God will prune us so that we bare more fruit. Constraint is necessary for building us up and refining us like silver. Constraints only seem oppressive to the rebellious. Constraint can also lead to greater creativity and resourcefulness. Like the Apostle Paul we consider it all joy when we fall into all tribulations. Weeping may be for a night but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 66:1-13
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will pretend to obey You. All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name.”
Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of mankind.
He turned the sea into dry land; They passed through the river on foot; Let’s rejoice there, in Him!
He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; The rebellious shall not exalt themselves! Bless our God, you peoples, And sound His praise abroad,
Who keeps us in life, And does not allow our feet to slip. For You have put us to the test, God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon us. You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water. Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance. I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings; I shall pay You my vows, Which my lips uttered And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.

John 15:2
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."