Joy

Read: Psalm 30:1-5 (NIV)

¹I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. ²Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. ³You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. ⁴Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. ⁵For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Reflect:

This Psalm is an incredible expression of praise and joy sung by David. We can all relate to times when we’ve been in “the depths” and needed help, healing, and deliverance from our enemies. There is comfort in knowing we serve the God of David and God never changes. This same God comforts us in our deepest of despair. How is it that we can have such a relationship with the Almighty God? How is it that He hears our cries? Jesus made this possible. Paul says in Hebrews 12 that Jesus “for the joy set before him endured the cross.” What was that joy? It was the knowledge that his obedient sacrifice would bridge the gap, created when sin entered the world, between man and God. Just like an Olympian keeps his or her eye on the ultimate prize of the gold medal, Jesus kept His eyes on becoming our Savior and making it possible for us to live forever with him in Heaven. Jesus knew that when his sacrifice was complete He’d live forever with His Father, seated in the highest place of honor. Joy is not happiness; joy is not subject to our emotions. Joy is obedience; joy is our Savior, our prize, our gold medal.

Act:

Daily fix your eyes on Jesus, and in every circumstance remember that just as the Lord lifted David “from the depths,” He can do the same for you. He is the God who never changes.

Pray:

Lord, as we run this race of life, let us focus on You and hold onto the promise of the prayer David prayed. Help us to trust that You will lift us from the depths. Help us. Heal us. And when persevering becomes difficult, let us remember that Your favor lasts a lifetime and help us set our eyes on the joy that is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Shanon Re