A Joyful Heart

Have you ever wondered at some people who seem to smile no matter what is going on in their lives?  I don't mean a fake smile that covers pain and hurt - I was really good at doing that during the years that I was in an abusive marriage.  I mean a true smile that stems from a joy that is deeply real.  Happiness is dependent on how you feel, your circumstances.  True joy comes from a heart that is in tune with God and has it's roots buried deep in the consistency of the Word of God.  This joy is not dependent on the ups and downs of your day, on your moods or anything of this world. 

This joy is evident in a person who knows that no matter what happens the Lord is in control.  It's more then "seeing the cup half full", it's knowing that your "cup runneth over" because of the goodness of God.  I'm reminded of the childrens Sunday School chorus, "I Have The Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart."

Psalms 35:9  "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD;  it shall rejoice in His salvation."

So what's the secret to being joyful in the Lord?  Thankfulness.  How can you help but be joyful in your Lord if you are in a state of thankfulness for all that the He has done for you.  Counting your blessings would be a full time job.  When you're thanking God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon you, you will not be grumbling about other things.  Have you ever tried to just count your blessings?  If you haven't I urge you to sit down and think on it for a little while.  You can't help but end up praising and thanking God for His abundant goodness to you.

Here are just a few things that we as Children of God are blessed with.

Psalms 4:8  "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep;  for Thou LORD only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalms 5:11  "But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice:  let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them:  let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee."

Psalms 9:9  "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."

Psalms 48:14  "For this God is our God, for ever and ever:  He will be our guide even unto death."

Psalms 66:20  "Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me."

Psalms 86:5  "For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive:  and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee."

Isaiah 59:1  "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save:  neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear"

Romans 5:8  "But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 8:38 & 39  "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor, height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

This is just a very small list of some of the things that God has blessed us with.  Do we deserve any of these blessings?  Absolutely not, but because He loves us, He blesses us.  How can we help but have joy in our hearts when our minds are caught up with how blessed we are!

In Acts chapter 16 verses 16 -34 we read the account of Paul and Silas being imprisoned on false charges of troubling the city.  Verse 23 says that they were whipped and cast into prison and verse 24 goes on to tell us that it was the inner prison and they were also put into stocks.  Now I don't know about you, but if that had of been me I don't think I would have been in a very good mood...honesty!  They had been whipped, so they were in quite a bit of pain, the inner prison would have been dark, damp and cold, and they were in stocks!  I've never been in stocks but I don't imagine that they are very comfortable.  What would you have been doing at this point?  Bemoaning your condition, railing against the false accusations, crying in pain and self pity? 

Acts 16:25  "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God..."

Paul and Silas had a prayer and praise service in the depths of that Roman jail!  How could they do that given the circumstances they were in?  They knew that no matter where they were or what their situation was, that Almighty God was with them, they had the joy of the Lord in their hearts.  Wow, what an amazing testimony these men had!  The end of verse 25 says that the other prisoners heard them.  If anyone ever had a captive audience, Paul and Silas did that night!  Can you just imagine what those other men were thinking when they heard them praying and singing!  If you continue reading through to verse 34 you see that because of this tremendous witness they were able to lead the jailor and his whole family to the Lord. 

How's your joy level today?  Is your life running over with the joy and fullness of the Lord?  Are you being a vibrant witness to your loved ones and neighbors despite your circumstances?  Or have you been drained of this joy by the pressing problems that seem to billow all around you?  Is your testimony mired down in the burdens and trials that you face each day?  Paul and Silas had the secret to this joy...first pray then sing. 

Psalms 5:3  "My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD:  In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up."

A day that is begun in communion with the Lord is a day that will be blessed with His presence and help.  I didn't say that the day would be without problems, but you will have the strength the Lord has promised would be yours to meet the trials of the day.  When you are in the spirit of prayer during the day, songs of praise will just automatically make their way from your heart to your lips.

Psalms 68:19  "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."

Psalms 71:23  "My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto Thee;  and my soul, which Thou hast redeemed." 

Get your heart right with God, be in fellowship with your Savior.  Count your blessings and sing praises to God.  You will find that your heart will be bubbling over with true joy.

Nehemiah 8:10  "...for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged , thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

 

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

 

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

 

Count you blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Count your many blessings see what God has done.

 

                                      Johnson Oatman Jr.