IF YOU NEED JOY THIS MORNING ...

May 26, 2023

We are not joyful and full of thanksgiving because of our misdirected vision. We spend our days only looking at ourselves, or our tragically fallen world, or at others (constantly concerned about what they think of us.)

We must lift our eyes. The secret to joy is a continual gaze upon the Father, Son, and Spirit. We are to “set our mind,” Paul said, “on the things above, NOT on the things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-3).

This was the secret to David’s joy. This is why David said in Psalm 145, “Every day I will bless you.” And notice, in this glorious Psalm, why David’s heart was so full of praise. As he focused his eyes above, he was overwhelmed that God was …

• Great
• Full of mighty acts
• Glorious in the splendor of His majesty
• Full of wonderful works
• Powerful in His awesome acts
• Abundant in goodness
• Righteous
• Gracious
• Merciful
• Slow to anger
• Great in lovingkindness
• Good to all
• Merciful over all His works
• He reigns in a glorious, everlasting kingdom
• His dominion endures throughout all generations
• He sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down.
• He gives food to those who look to Him in due time
• He opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing
• He is righteous in all His ways
• He is kind in all His deeds
• He is near to all who call upon Him in truth
• He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him
• He hears their cry and saves them
• He will keep all those who love Him and destroy the wicked

Read this litany of the Lord’s greatness over and over again if you desire your soul to be in its proper place. David recites just 25 of the glorious things He sees as he looks at God, but there are 10,000 more.

Now think carefully: How would you feel if this vision filled your mind each day? What would it do to your soul if a vision of God was your constant diet, not the trivia of human entertainment or the screens of social media?

Our lack of joy is not God’s problem; it is our misguided sight. Pause right now and look at Him! Pray Psalm 145 back to the Father, worshiping in wonder at the variegated nature of the One-who-loves-us-and-gave-His-Son-for-us.

How could you not bless the Lord every day and praise Him forever and ever?

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