“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5 (KJV)
Joy is an emotion that stirs the heart with encouraging happiness and gladness. The sounds of joy are easy on the ears. Joy invites you to draw near. Joy encourages you to think happy thoughts, smile broad beams of gladness, and speak words of cheer and hope. Joy begins in the center of your heart and flows outward in all directions until you are bursting with delight. You cannot keep joy quiet. Go ahead and shout it out! Let joy flow around you today. The joy of the Lord is your strength!
Think about how good God is. Consider how he has blessed you and yours. Begin to count your blessings. Count them one by one, if you can. They are so numerous that you may need someone (or several someones) to help you count. Be thankful to God, and bless his holy name! Gratitude and appreciation are members of the joy family.
You are who you are by the grace of God. In your wildest dreams, you could not have made your life so good. Material things are good and necessary sometimes but God and his joy are essential all the time. Remember, you are one of his children. You are a citizen of his Kingdom. Your are a sheep in his pasture. He is worthy of all our praise!
“For God is good, his mercy is never ending, and his truth continues from the last generation through this generation to all succeeding generations.”
Dear Father, thank you for your joy. We are grateful for all your work in our lives. We praise you today because you alone are holy; because you alone are worthy. You deserve all the glory! In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the joy of the Lord,