Joy!

There is a verse that I feel God sent to me at the beginning of this year.  I am keeping my Bible place marker (you know, the little piece of ribbon attached to most Bible's as a book mark) in that place for the rest of the year so I can refer to it often.  Many days when I open my Bible in the morning I just open up to search for the page I am looking for.  It's controlled by me where the pages go.  But today that page opened up first....it wasn't intentional or anything, just where it naturally opened because of the book mark but I wasn't looking to do that.  I'm not sure if I am explaining this right, or making sense, but there it is!  LOL

The verse is Zephaniah 3:17  For the Lord your God is living among you.  He is a  might Savior.  HE WILL TAKE DELIGHT IN YOU WITH GLADNESS.  WITH HIS LOVE, HE WILL CALM ALL YOUR FEARS.  HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH JOYFUL SONGS.   And today, the joy stood out to me.  My Father rejoicing over me....and if He is joyful, I want to be too.  Two more verses were brought to mind by the Holy Spirit to round out this mornings God visit. 

Nehemiah 8:10  And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.  This is a sacred day before our Lord.  Don't be dejected and sad, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.

Psalm 16:11  You will show me the path of life; IN YOUR PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

For me, these three verses complete joy.  And it's all about remaining in His presence.  I am so glad we serve a joyful God.  Sometimes life gets hard, it hurts and we want to give up.  Getting out of bed seems more than we can handle.  Bodies are hurting and tired, emotions weary....but in God's presence is joy and that joy brings strength.  In His presence, we know He is singing joyfully over His children.  Rejoicing that we are His...not perfect, but totally loved.  This joy is the Father's gift to us as much as salvation is.  (And if you take another look at the verse from Nehemiah, you'll  notice the instruction to give to others; giving, sharing, helping all contribute to our joy as well.)

Oh, Lord, we forget so often that You are a God of joy!  Life wears us down and beats us up.  Help us to remain in Your presence and look for the joy You give.   Open our hearts and eyes.  Thank You for this visit today.  Please let me  not walk away from the joy You give.  Yaaay!  We can have joy!!

Memorize one of these verses today, or write it out and carry it with you.  When you find yourself getting world weary, bring yourself back to His joy.