March 19th, 2026
This week, I’ve been thinking about a verse of Scripture I’d never taken note of before, and I want to share it with you. Isaiah 29:19 (ESV) says,
“The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.”
Another version of this verse (NLT) says,
“The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”
The idea of humility or meekness in this verse is unique and has more to do with those who are righteously undergoing trials than the usual understanding of humility. God always refreshes His people, regardless of what they’re going through.
However, this week, the part of this verse that has been on my heart is the idea of fresh joy. So often, as Christians, we try to find joy that we knew in the past. It is important to remember the things God has done, but those things are to motivate us and fill us with faith to move forward. They are never meant to be our fuel. God doesn’t take old joy, repackage it, and give it back to us. We have to expect new things from God’s Word and His presence every day!
The Israelites were given fresh manna in the middle of the wilderness every day. It was a place fresh food should have been impossible. Exodus 16:14-18 says,
“When the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’” And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank.”
God very intentionally didn’t let the manna last. Only on the Sabbath did the manna stay fresh for two days so they didn’t have to gather on the day of rest. The people were to gather as much as they needed every, single day. There was always enough fresh food for life, and if they left any, it would rot. We know this is a picture of the spiritual life God gives us, because Jesus called Himself the manna of heaven in John 6:31-35. It says, ‘”Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.”’
Jesus also taught His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
This can be applied to daily provision, but the spiritual application is even more powerful. The life God has for you is something to be received every day. The life, joy, and provision of Jesus is as fresh every morning as the manna was in the wilderness. However, so many Christians try to eat manna from days, weeks, or years ago. An encounter with God will strengthen you and change you, but it’s not meant to sustain you forever. You have to keep eating and drinking to keep living! In the same way you have to continually receive from God to stay sustained. You aren’t meant to eat stale bread. How many of you would choose leftovers rather than a fresh meal? The answer is obvious.
You aren’t meant to have only the memory of joy. You aren’t meant to live on what God gave you yesterday. He’s generous. He has more for you today!
Jesus said, “out of your bellies will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Rivers never stop moving, so the water is always fresh. It’s only moving water that keeps from being stagnant. Still water breeds algae, mosquitoes, and bacteria. It breeds death and not life. However, moving water brings life everywhere it goes. Since ancient times, life has been centered around moving water, because it is only there that life can be sustained. The living water is the presence of God, and Psalm 16:11 says, “In His presence is fullness of joy.”
He has fresh joy for us today in the rivers of His life. He has fresh bread for us today. It doesn’t mean we should run around to different meetings or churches looking for someone to give us a word or the newest theological idea. It’s not that we need something new or different to keep us entertained. We are to run to Him continually to refresh us, fill us, and give us life. Psalm 92:10 says,
“…you have poured over me fresh oil.”
Isaiah 43:19 says,
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
He is doing a new thing! Rivers in the desert means a consistent supply of that which is fresh, no matter where you are. It doesn’t matter what you’re walking through. He has fresh joy for you today! He won’t just restore joy you used to have. He will give you something completely new. The joy of the Lord is always fresh, new, and full of life, and it comes only from Him. His joy, alone, is our strength. Today, we encourage you to drink of the rivers of life that come only from His presence. He has fresh life—fresh joy— for you, even now.
“The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.”
Another version of this verse (NLT) says,
“The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD. The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”
The idea of humility or meekness in this verse is unique and has more to do with those who are righteously undergoing trials than the usual understanding of humility. God always refreshes His people, regardless of what they’re going through.
However, this week, the part of this verse that has been on my heart is the idea of fresh joy. So often, as Christians, we try to find joy that we knew in the past. It is important to remember the things God has done, but those things are to motivate us and fill us with faith to move forward. They are never meant to be our fuel. God doesn’t take old joy, repackage it, and give it back to us. We have to expect new things from God’s Word and His presence every day!
The Israelites were given fresh manna in the middle of the wilderness every day. It was a place fresh food should have been impossible. Exodus 16:14-18 says,
“When the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’” And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank.”
God very intentionally didn’t let the manna last. Only on the Sabbath did the manna stay fresh for two days so they didn’t have to gather on the day of rest. The people were to gather as much as they needed every, single day. There was always enough fresh food for life, and if they left any, it would rot. We know this is a picture of the spiritual life God gives us, because Jesus called Himself the manna of heaven in John 6:31-35. It says, ‘”Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.”’
Jesus also taught His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
This can be applied to daily provision, but the spiritual application is even more powerful. The life God has for you is something to be received every day. The life, joy, and provision of Jesus is as fresh every morning as the manna was in the wilderness. However, so many Christians try to eat manna from days, weeks, or years ago. An encounter with God will strengthen you and change you, but it’s not meant to sustain you forever. You have to keep eating and drinking to keep living! In the same way you have to continually receive from God to stay sustained. You aren’t meant to eat stale bread. How many of you would choose leftovers rather than a fresh meal? The answer is obvious.
You aren’t meant to have only the memory of joy. You aren’t meant to live on what God gave you yesterday. He’s generous. He has more for you today!
Jesus said, “out of your bellies will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Rivers never stop moving, so the water is always fresh. It’s only moving water that keeps from being stagnant. Still water breeds algae, mosquitoes, and bacteria. It breeds death and not life. However, moving water brings life everywhere it goes. Since ancient times, life has been centered around moving water, because it is only there that life can be sustained. The living water is the presence of God, and Psalm 16:11 says, “In His presence is fullness of joy.”
He has fresh joy for us today in the rivers of His life. He has fresh bread for us today. It doesn’t mean we should run around to different meetings or churches looking for someone to give us a word or the newest theological idea. It’s not that we need something new or different to keep us entertained. We are to run to Him continually to refresh us, fill us, and give us life. Psalm 92:10 says,
“…you have poured over me fresh oil.”
Isaiah 43:19 says,
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
He is doing a new thing! Rivers in the desert means a consistent supply of that which is fresh, no matter where you are. It doesn’t matter what you’re walking through. He has fresh joy for you today! He won’t just restore joy you used to have. He will give you something completely new. The joy of the Lord is always fresh, new, and full of life, and it comes only from Him. His joy, alone, is our strength. Today, we encourage you to drink of the rivers of life that come only from His presence. He has fresh life—fresh joy— for you, even now.
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