Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12. NLT.
Joy is an amazing gift of God, one of the fruits of the Spirit, but like natural fruit it can become a bit bruised and battered. The good news is that our Lord is aware of that, and loves to restore that joy. Living a life without joy is not God’s will or a very fun way to live.
Sometimes the joy thief is so subtle we don’t notice it’s lack in our life. We just fel life is a bit heavier. We push through with our own strength, not allowing His strength to help us. If you find yourself in this scenario: take a minute or as long as it takes and pray. Ask the Lord to help you sort through your thoughts and feelings. David stopped and prayed in Psalm 51:12 restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 28:6-7 Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield, and I trust him with all my heart, He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
There are some days, I admit I wake up feeling sad and if I admit it a bit depressed and fearful. Let me tell you, it does not feel well within my soul! Joy would not have been part of my description on how I feel. My feelings will tell me to crawl back under the covers and give in to the sadness. I knew of several areas and circumstances that added themselves to my feelings, but once again the Holy Spirit said, STOP. What would the outcome be of your cowering under the covers? You still have to face those things. Why not deal with it now? Why not? I am so thankful we have access to the Holy Spirit and HIs wisdom.
So, once again I begin to think “what can I do to change things”? First of all, I realize that by talking to the Lord about how I was feeling I was already on the right path of changing things. I then put on worship music. I began to thank the Lord for His solutions to each of the issues that were trying to make me go small. Have you been there? Feelings can feel very real and very large. Truth can seem distant and difficult to believe when Fearful Feelings raise their ugly heads. As I began to praise Him and focus on already answered prayers, on His loving grace things began to change. I asked for His help and He sent it. I could have gotten up and tucked all those feelings back in my soul, but I refuse to settle for that kind of life. My friends are walking through some difficult waters. As I was praying for them yesterday I was listening to my Alexa device with worship music. Suddenly the song “Way Maker” came on. (If you don’t know that song here are the lyrics).
[Verse 1]
You are here, moving in our midst
I worship You, I worship You
You are here, working in this place
I worship You, I worship You
You are here, moving in our midst
I worship You, I worship You
You are here, working in this place
I worship You, I worship You
[Chorus]
You are
Waymaker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
You are
Waymaker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
[Verse 2]
You are here, touching every heart
I worship You, I worship You
You are here, healing every heart
I worship You, I worship You
[Verse 3]
You are here, turning lives around
I worship You, I worship You
You are here, mending every heart
I worship You, yeah, I worship You, Lord
I began croaking out the words of the song and my joy was restored. I had hope, faith and joy for my friends situations. I know God is going to make a way for them, because He is that kind of God. Walking with His joy is contagious! It not only helps strengthen ourselves, but also others.
Living your life as a believer without His joy is no fun. Do not settle for less than His best. I believe joy helps us stretch our faith and trust even more.
Father, I ask that you help us defeat the joy stealers in our lives. Remind us to monitor our joy level and take the time to connect with you when we find it running low. Bless my friends with the fullness of your joy today, in Jesus Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 