Looking for joy
I woke up today and joy was gone. I’m not sure where I left it. I’ve looked all over the house and yard. I’ve called friends looking for my joy. I’ve driven the streets calling out and searching. I’ve shopped, eaten my favorite foods, watched shows on television, even sat with my family. But I still can’t find my joy.
Have you seen my joy?
I’m miserable without it. Should I post a sign on the street corner? Should I place an ad in the newspaper? Maybe even send out a missing joy alert.
But then … in the quiet, a tiny stirring, a tiny flicker of hope brightens. On my desk, in The Book with words written before time, the truth calls. The Bible shows us the truth of where joy is found. And my soul kneels and looks up to The One who is joy.
We can ask with the Psalmist that God will restore to us the joy of our salvation. Let’s remember God is our help and in the shadow of His wings we can sing for joy.
Join me at God’s altar, for God is exceeding joy, and there we can praise Him. Let’s delight in righteousness, shout for joy, and be glad and say always that our God is great. For God has made us glad by His work; and at the works of His hands we can sing for joy.
Bless our God for He hears us praying. He proved He’s on our side; we’ve thrown our lot in with Him. Now we’re jumping for joy, and shouting and singing thanks to God.
God’s words are a joy and a heart delight. He will make known the path of life, and in His presence is fullness of joy. At God’s right hand are pleasures forevermore. We shout for joy over our salvation, for God makes us glad with the joy of His presence.
Those who look to God for help will be radiant with joy; without shame darkening their faces. So, rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyful song and sing praises! Let’s offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
Sing for joy, and rejoice; break forth, into singing! For the Lord comforts His people and has compassion on His afflicted. Remember those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing will come home with shouts of joy, bringing a harvest with him. With God our mouth is filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy; because the Lord has done great things for us.
Remember always that Jesus is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.
Heavenly Father, thank You that in You I find my joy for You are joy!
Psalm 51:12, Psalm 63:7, Psalm 43:4, Psalm 35:27, Psalm 92:4, Psalm 28:6-7, Jeremiah 15:16, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 20:5, Psalm 21:6, Psalm 34:5, Psalm 32:11, Psalm 97:11, Psalm 98:4, Psalm 100:1, Psalm 107:22, Isaiah 49:13, Psalm 126:5-6, Psalm 126:2, Jude 1:24-25.
From Living Joyfully Free Devotional by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/3r0GPGJ