Psalm 63:1-8
1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. 5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips 6 when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Joy
We have so much joy. We have joy because God loves us. We have joy because Jesus sacrificed himself to redeem us. We have joy because the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts liberally. We have joy.
There is joy in seeking a relationship with God through Christ Jesus. We thirst for the presence of God in our lives. When we think about God’s goodness, God’s glory, God’s love, and God’s protection we cannot help but to have joy.
For many people, this past Sunday was the first time in 2 years that they attended worship service in a sanctuary. For many people, there was joy because people were able to reconnect with a church family in person. There was joy walking through the front door, joy sitting in the pews, and joy remembering the beauty of the sanctuary.
There is something sacred and wonderful about worship in a church sanctuary. Although God provided the technology to reach well past our local churches, we still want to be in the presence of family and friends. We want them to share in the joy we feel in the presence of God.
Joy is contagious. When we walk in a room, exuberant and lively, the rest of the room can choose to adopt our attitude and energy. We have a joy that the world has not given us. Our joy is not based on anything in this world. Our joy comes from the Lord.Just like COVID-19 was contagious and spread, let’s spread joy.
Pray that our joy is evident everywhere we go. Pray that our joy overflows in whatever rooms we enter, or at whatever tables we sit. Pray that when we express our joy others will join us. Pray that those in our spheres of influence will find joy in Christ Jesus.
There are so many people who do not know joy. There are far too many people for whom life is dull and gloomy. Pray that the Holy Spirit will send joy. Pray that we will have opportunities to spread joy. We rejoice in God’s plan for our redemption through Christ Jesus. Let us pray that many, many more will also experience that joy. Let us pray.
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