Dec 12th | Joy
Embedded within the passage Psalm 43:1-5 are the Hebrew words Simcha and Gila. Combined the carry the sentiment Exceeding Joy. And, not surprisingly, we find a template to find such a thing in the words and posture of the Psalmist.
First let me a bit of my own definition to what Joy may be: An internal (present) condition, built upon an iron-clad (eternal) conviction rather than external conditions. That is, in simpler form, to know that you know that you know God is true and good and trustworthy. As an example of someone who knows something rock-solid (that others are yet to know) and exhibits a “joy” as a result, i showed this clip: John Carpeter Millionaire .
Finding anything of substance for the soul we must turn our selves to the Creator and Sustainer of our soul.
The problem all we humans face with respect to our God, is doubt. The Bible calls this a divided heart…or double mindedness. We ALL are the unfortunate bearers of a heart that is prone to wander. Our divided hearts will lead us away from the Truth, from Jesus, from God unless we unite our heart. And, as I’ve said above, the Psalmist leaves us a clue within the framework of his prayer in Ps 43.
He begins with the unvarnished truth as he understands it. Don’t ever think God cannot handle the truth. He can. And does. He knows all things, all conditions, all circumstances, all thoughts, feelings, etc, etc. He knows you, and he’s okay to hear the truth from you. Shout if you must; Cry if you will; God loves you, knows you…he wants the real you. He does.
So he beginnings of the journey to a united heart is to pray and to pray honestly. That’s actually easy…pretty natural. In fact, most everyone does that. The next two things are possible, i think, only in the Spirit. Without a saving grace in Jesus…a restored condition with God…the Spirit alive within us, these next two elements may be impossible. The Psalmist defers. He concludes that he may be and probably us deceived. That his understanding is skewed. So he, in humility, acknowledges that by asking for God’s “light and truth.” He goes further by acknowledging that without such grace from God, he will fall ever further from God rather than be drawn to him…and to exceeding joy. He knows that if God should show mercy upon his ignorance, only then, will he find salvation…assurance for his soul.
For us “the altar” is Jesus. When God grant us the “light and truth” we ask for in faith, he leads us to his soultion, his assurance, our salvation, our exceeding joy.
Finally, the Psalmist speaks to himself. Lloyd-Jones says that we are unhappy because we listen to ourselves rather than talk to ourselves. The mind must drive the emotions – not the other way around. Sometimes we must speak to our soul and remind it of what we are convicted of…what promise we have be given in Christ. We must speak to our soul and say, “Don’t you remember the truth? Don’t you know that regardless the circumstances or feelings we have stone-cold, lead-pipe assurance for eternity! Celebrate!
What’s true about your circumstances that does or threatens what to overshadow God’s truth?
What keeps you from praying?
Are you comfortable unloading with God? Who showed you how?
What does God promise?
What’s true, in Jesus about you?
