Monday ~ April 2, 2012

Monday ~ April 2, 2012


Psalm 5:11
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Gotten in God

You can't miss the role that joy plays here in Psalm Chapter 5: Let all those rejoice...shout for joy...be joyful. It doesn't take a seminary-trained theologian to see the dominant theme in this passage: joy. The best biblical definition for joy is "an unwavering gladness of heart that transcends our outward circumstances." It goes without saying that this is something we all need and want. Joy is always in style and always in demand. You simply can't have enough of it. If joy were a stock that could be bought and bartered, it would always be a sound investment. In fact, its value would prove greater than gold's. But joy isn't something people can procure on Wall Street...quite the opposite, actually. Notice where it comes from according to the Psalmist: those who put their trust in God. Faith is joy's starting point. Joy is born and begins to grow when we place our confidence in the greatness of God, when we acknowledge all He's capable of, and when we realize all His love accomplishes on our behalf. Joy, true transcendent joy, cannot be gained apart from an abiding trust in God. It's like trying to produce light from darkness, it simply won't happen. But joy abounds limitlessly for all who make the Lord their confidence. Where there is faith in Him, there is joy.

God, help us to place our faith exclusively in You, and may our hearts be unable to contain the transcendent joy that comes from putting our trust in You.

What does this passage reveal to me about God?

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?

Based on this, what changes do I need to make?

What is my prayer for today?