What a blessing it is to be in the Word consistently. That is why I am thankful that our community bible study finally began earlier this month. We have been diving right at the beginning of it all -- The Book of Genesis.
Then, the women in our church began another study using Christina Kinde's book Contagious Joy. And this one is cutting deep into my soul and it is only Week 1.The first study was about Joyless Living. And I quote, " We are surrounded by all of God's goodness and blessings. By all rights we should be content and happy. Still, a restlessness, a boredom, and the conviction that something is missing settles around us. Despite everything we have to be thankful for, we find no joy in our days."
I am so there.
But what are the signs of joy? According to Scripture, it's laughter and singing (Isa 24:8). God's own should be singing "out of the joy in their hearts" (Isa 65:14). But what if there is no joy that causes us to sing?
"Circumstances have a way of conspiring to leech the joy right out of our days. Even though we know joy is our rightful heritage from the Lord, we live as if we have never known joy's presence. We long for joy as if it were something far off and unobtainable. But joy isn't really a matter of receiving something new, but of discovering what has always been there. For believers, sometimes discovering joy is simply a matter of opening our eyes to a new way of seeing."
So when joy slips from our view, we can pray for its return.
"Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice." (Psa 51:8)
And if joy is a matter of finding a new way of seeing, we can ask the Lord to show us the way into joy:
"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psa 16:11)
"Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths." (Psa 25:4)
"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Psa 119:18)
"Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths." (Psa 25:4)
"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Psa 119:18)
Thank you Lord for these treasures in Your Word. May I find joy in my days ... joy that is rooted in You alone. An abundance of joy that it overflows to others around me. A joy that is CONTAGIOUS!
6 comments:
Ouch...that one struck deep!
Thank you for your candor! As always it blesses my striped little socks off!
And yes, your joy IS contagious...it reached out and smiled at me through this post....I'm off to ponder God's truth in those verses.
Gracias love!
Oh!
That is the heart of the gratitude community -- finding the blessings right here! A new way of seeing!
So you already are!
Thank you, Lord!
All's grace,
Ann
Where would I be without my Bible study and my Bible study ladies? This one hits home!
I love reading different bibles, it opens the scriptures more. My NIV states the same as yours does. But opening my Hebrew/English bible it has the verse a bit differently: {You will make me know the way of life. In your presence are fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forever.} Psalm 16:11- dont you think it opens the verse much more? I love it. May you find joy in His presence, I am seeking it too. :)
Joy - the Lord has been pressing this word into my heart lately. I've been thinking about it, looking for it and writing about it. I want it - in spite of difficult circumstances. I want that underpinning of joy in every breath I take - the knowing that He is always.
This is a beautiful post and has enriched and encouraged.
Thanks for this honest post. I think most of us have been there.
That book sounds wonderful - I will have to check it out. I am in need of some contageous joy!
Post a Comment