Joy in our heart rises from the sense of God's love and favor for us as
His children. God's comforts delight our soul (Psalm 94:19). We are safe in His
everlasting arms.
The more we trust God for protection, provision and productivity, the
more He blesses us with His presence (Proverbs 3:5-6). He wants us to trust Him
from the start of our quest, not as a last resort.
Even when life causes us sorrow, we always find our joy in the Lord (2
Corinthians 6:10). God strengthens our soul with His might (Psalm 138:3; Psalm
23:5). In His right hand are eternal pleasures (Psalm 16:11).
When we abide in His presence, we experience abundant joy. He teaches us
what to say and when to say it (Proverbs 15:23). When life overwhelms us and
sucks the life right out of our bones, His joy in our heart heals us in body,
soul and spirit (Proverbs 17:22).
Even if we walk away from God for a short season and live our own way,
we will always return to Him. He puts a song in our heart and gives us His
everlasting joy as a crown on our head (Isaiah 35:10).
Gladness and joy fill us with hope and reduce the overwhelming feelings
of doom that this world pummels us with. Our sighing and depression flee away
from us in the light of His presence in our life.
As we traverse through life, it seems that the mountains and hills join
us in praising God; even the tree limbs clank together in the wind to add to
the symphony of praise in our heart. God's joy fills our life and He leads us
by His peace (Isaiah 5:12).
Prayer:
Father God, Your joy exceeds everything this world has to offer. We are
thrilled at the birth of our children and grandchildren, happy with a brand new
car, are proud of our promotion at work, enthused about decorating our newly
built home; but nothing compares to Your abundant joy.
We reverence, honor and cherish Your presence in our life; and we give
you all of the praise and the glory due to Your name. You are our delight and pleasure
and we find our joy in the center of Your will for our life (Psalm 43:4). You
give to us the fullest measure of Your joy, because You dwell within us (John
17:13).
Thought for the Day:
When we grieve over the loss and fear of the dire circumstances staring
us in the face, God's love, which pours over us like a waterfall, gives us a
reason to rejoice that is so deeply implanted in our heart that no one and
nothing can take it away. - John 16:22
