Joy: what are you feeling today? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Psalm 126:4-6,

"Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him."

Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary defines joy as "the emotion
evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of
possessing what one desires." "Gaiety, "bliss", "a state of happiness"
and "a source or cause of delight" are all provided for this word.
Sometimes it is helpful to look at antonyms of a word to help shape
our thinking. It lists as antonyms "ill-being", "misery", "sadness",
"unhappiness" and "wretchedness".

Joy is a key word that is used when referencing the experience of
being in God's presence. Where the Lord is, there is joy. It is our
automatic reaction to being in the presence of his wonderful
perfections, his breath-taking beauty and his transcendent glory.
Additionally, all the Lord does has, as its inevitable result, a
response of joy to those who love him.

This world brings much misery and unhappiness as it continues its
existence in estrangement to the Lord's presence. Mankind, in his
rebellion and sinful rejection of the Lord leaves itself in a forlorn
existence bereft of the excitement, joy and wonder that our Creator
had intended for us when he created us. The fall of mankind in Genesis
chapter three is an account of horrific proportions that has
consequence reaching all generations, including today.

As the psalmist makes his plea to the Lord to restore the fortunes of
Israel, he acknowledges the great joy that comes when the Lord becomes
a part of any endeavor. While the restoration of the nation is cause
for joy, in and of itself, I can't help but notice throughout the
Scriptures the joy of all who are touched by him - with the very
observable exception of one group: those who find themselves in the
cross-hairs of his judgment. There we find a different reaction:
terror.

I recognize the many of the Lord's people who suffered at his hands:
Job, Jeremiah, the Sons of Korah in Psalm 44 and many others. I am
reminded of Paul's quote of Psalm 44 in Romans 8:36, "For your sake we
face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be
slaughtered." These all, however, where used by the Lord for his
purposes and the inheritance they all share for an eternity is one of
great joy. As Paul reminds us a few verses earlier in Romans 8, "I
consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the
glory that will be revealed in us." When this glory is revealed in us,
there will be great joy in the resurrection.

Here are just a few thoughts concerning the joy that the Lord brings
to our lives as mentioned in the psalms: "You have filled my heart
with greater joy..." Psalm 4:7. "You have made known to me the path of
life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal
pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11. "The precepts of the Lord
are right, giving joy to the heart." Psalm 19:8. "Surely you have
granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your
presence." Psalm 21:6. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my
heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I
will give thanks to him in song."

For all who have embraced the Lord in faith, when we find ourselves in
his presence, when we participate in his agenda, when we observe all
he does, we become filled with a joy this world is unable to offer.
Even when we are unable to see him, this side of the resurrection,
Peter observes, "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even
though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with
an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of
your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8.

Where the Lord is, there is joy. Joyfulness is a reigning emotion in his camp!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com