The Word for 2019: Joy

“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:4.

“Christian joy is like that singing, yellow bird. One of the first effects of sin or doctrinal error is that we lose our joy in Christ. When your heart stops singing, that is a warning to watch your life and doctrine                                                                                     closely.”- Jim Johnstone

Have you lived a season of life or ministry joyless? A lack of joy is a warning sign there is a void in our life. Or you could be in a time of transition. It is not a place we want to let become commonplace. It is a period when life is a struggle.

The psalmists point us back to the source of our strength. We will go to the altar of God.

The presence of God, it fills our hearts with exceeding joy. Joy over the love and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At the altar of God, ministry nor life is about us, it is always about Jesus. Joy helps us bask in the awesomeness of God while rejoicing in the joy of our salvation.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

It is easy to allow the world and all its struggles to suck the contentment out of us. We allow our hearts to become discouraged and distressed with problems. Father, You have promised us the joy of the Lord is our strength. Give us Your strength which is made perfect in our weakness.

Fix our eyes fixed firmly on the Lord Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. You have overcome the world and that You have promised to give us Your grace and peace in our hearts.

Jesus turns our weeping into dancing, our discouragement into hope, and our sadness into Joy. You make us complete in You Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.