O Glorious Lord, the souls of men search for joy, but any search that is not centered on You is a search in vain. Joy looks for an object and without You as that object there is no joy. From within each of us is a deep yearning to find prevailing joy. I have found that the things of the earth just cannot give it to me. Joy is something special and impossible to find outside of You. It makes one want to sing when singing is not their thing or dance when they have two left feet. It is filled with feelings of exuberance and self-expression. It is an emotion that cannot be faked or hidden. It cannot be imposed on an unwilling heart because joy is something truly divine. As humans, we try to fill our lives with things that may bring contentment for a time, but real joy comes from a lasting relationship with You. Joy is the result of a connection with You … it is personal and explosive.
You were sent by Your Father to bring joy into the world. You have accomplished it through … putting back together the pieces of a broken heart … freeing those held captive by sin … and releasing the prisoners who were kept in darkness due to ignorance and deception. You came to proclaim a joy that was given to those who accepted and fell in love with You. You have brought me this gift that I have longed for as long as I can remember. Your joy has the power to lift me above my difficulties and allows me to understand the truths that lead me to hope and becoming an overcomer. My joy emanates from the freedom You have given to me to escape darkness and find a meaningful and fulfilling life. The measure of my joy can only increase as I seek more of You and put effort into maintaining our relationship. My greatest joy comes from experiencing You in Your Word and our daily dialogue.
As I draw closer to You, my joy reaches new heights. Depression and emptiness are the Devil’s reward for maintaining a relationship with him. In contrast, I find great joy in Your love, faithfulness, and generosity. A big part of my joy comes from knowing that I will spend eternity with You. Lead me to Your light so I can see You more clearly and experience the fullness of joy. You came to give the world Your light so that every man could escape the darkness and find true joy. Through the assurance of permanent love, I should become alert and self-controlled so that I do not lose my way and, in doing so, lose my connection to You. Your desire has always been to spare man of suffering and fill him with a joy that is a picture of Heaven. As the Virgin Mary said at her annunciation “My soul rejoices in my God,” so do I rejoice in belonging to You. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Luke 1:46-47 My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble estate of His servant.