Kingdom Bites

Joy, is an interesting word. Sadly it’s an emotion that many people do not experience much of today. With so many things to be concerned about, job loss, healthcare, school shootings, and a sluggish economy; joy seems hard to come by. Many people measure joy by looking at their circumstances or possessions; expecting to find something there to make them happy. Yet the harder they look, the sadder they become. 

So where do we find joy? How do we break through this vicious cycle of feeling depressed? The answer is found in our focus, for we must raise our eyes off ourselves and above our circumstances and place them on the Lord. Psalm 103:1 provides great guidance here - "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name."

Here, King David finds himself in a sad, almost depressed, state. Although we do not know what has happened, or when he penned these words; it is obvious that joy has escaped him. Instead of being struck with the power, majesty, and the glory of the Lord - he presents a melancholy sprit. However, he doesn’t let that stand. In the midst of a mundane existence, David looks commandingly at himself and gives the order to Praise the Lord. 

For he says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name." David realizes that the only escape from his unhappiness is to sing praises to the Lord. It’s as if he looks down deep inside and says “buck up, things are not that bad. Start Praising God!”  He continues this extortion to himself in the following verses...

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." Psalm 103:2-5

King David suffered from spiritual amnesia.  He had forgotten all the great things, the many blessings he had received from the Lord. So he reminds himself of God’s works. That He forgives, redeems, and restores our brokenness. That God is the one who works healing in our life. That His love and compassion never fail and only He truly satisfies. In fact, for the next 14 verses David continues recounting the blessing of God.  Until verse 22 where he joyously shouts - “Praise the Lord.”

If you are seeking joy in the pleasures found in this life, or letting its concerns weigh you down, joy will continually be far from you. Instead, like King David, stop looking inward or outward, and start looking upward to the true source of Joy. Command your soul to praise the Lord regardless of feelings and circumstances; crush your spiritual amnesia by recounting the many blessing and benefits that come from them Lord. Reminding yourself of the true source of and reason for Joy. 

I am reminded of the words of an old hymn “Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” 

You never know, once you start, your list may outnumber David’s. 

May you will be filled with, and renewed by the Joy of the Lord!