I have been reading through Psalms a lot lately. I keep stumbling into a fantastic word:
JOY.
It’s not just found in Psalms. Joy is all over the bible. Of course, we know that. But, it’s so fun to encounter it anew as I sift through fresh scripture.
Here are a few of the verses I’ve come across lately which feature joy:
Psalms 66:1 (NLT)
1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Psalm 86:4 (NIV)
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 92:4 (NIV)
4 For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
Psalm 94:19 (NIV)
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 95:1 (NIV)
1 Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
The four people who share their stories in the JOY chapter of this book offer special examples of how to find joy in our lives. Peter found the “simple pleasures” despite seeing the horrors of war. Henry longed to be reunited with the animals which led him to decades of marriage. Davis jogged end to end on the basketball court wearing a joyful smile during each ‘5th Quarter’. Abby learned what truly mattered during her year in the shaved ice truck.
All these stories aired in local newscasts surrounded by reports otherwise devoid of joy. The prominent evils in the world can often drown out the presence of joy in our lives. But, just like the stories of these four people, joy stands out because joy outshines evil. It’s exactly what Psalm 90 talks about. We see God’s unfailing love and respond with joy.
I’ll keep mining for joy in my bible. I am thankful to Peter, Henry, Davis, and Abby for sharing theirs.
टिप्पणियां