The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm 28:7
Forest glades shady and chill,
In the silence praise you still.
Exhilaration. Exuberance. Elation. A feeling of great happiness, pleasure, and delight. In other words. Joy. Maybe from a baby’s smile, a morning sunrise, a stirring piece of music, the soft snuggle of a favorite pet, or the hug of a loved one. Whatever the source, when joy fills us, it flows out from us.
As our Heavenly Father formed Israel as his people, he called them to times of joy and festivity, of celebration and jubilation, to remember how he blesses them with bountiful harvests and prosperity (Deuteronomy 16:15). Though times of trouble come, our Father promises days of joy, blessing, and festive praise to those who mourn (Isaiah 61:3), and healing, freedom, and exuberance to those who fear his name (Malachi 4:2). He gives us Jesus, our Joy and we can respond to him with glorious, inexpressible joy (1 Peter 1:8) that ever flows out from us.
Pause and take time to remember a moment of joy. Consider where you were, what was and who was with you. Notice the other feelings that come with the memory. What might our Father be speaking to you in this moment?
Praise our Heavenly Father for the many ways he fills your life with joy. Praise him for his Son, Jesus, our true source of Joy.
Pray.
Heavenly Father,
You are the Joy Generator.
Thank you for filling my world with joy and thanksgiving.
Amen.
For the story behind Praise: Proclaiming the Glory of God, visit the first blog in the Praise series.
If you’d like to see all the books currently available in my Be Still series, visit my Be Still page.
All the books in the Be Still series are available on Amazon. Visit my author page Jill English Johnston.
Grace and Peace
tablets of human hearts 