I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning. Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. I will exalt You, my God and King, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unfathomable. One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of Your majesty and of Your wondrous works. They shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall abundantly declare the fame of Your great goodness and shall sing of Your righteousness. For You are gracious and full of compassion and slow to anger, and great in mercy. You are good to all, and Your compassion is over all Your works. All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your godly ones shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory Your kingdom and talk of Your power, to make known to people His mighty acts and glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord upholds who falls and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. You are righteous in all Your ways and loving in all Your works. You are near to all who call upon You, to all who call upon You in truth. You will fulfill the desire of those who fear You; You also will hear their cry and will save them. You preserve all who love You, but You will destroy the wicked. My mouth shall speak the praise of You, and let all people bless Your Holy Name forever and ever. [Psalms 130:5&6; Psalms 139:10; Psalm 145]
Holy Spirit Your word says this about joy: “But the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; Strength and joy are in His dwelling place.” “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’” “Many, Lord, are asking, ‘who will bring us prosperity?’ let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy.” “Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.” “Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,” “Then I will go to the alter of God, to God, my joy and my delight.” “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” “Shout for joy to God, all the earth!” “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” “Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.” “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.” “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.” The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” “But those who promote peace have joy.” “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you.” “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” “then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?” “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” “yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior.”
Help me to discern how to apply all that Your word says on joy to be a part of who I am. Thank You for teaching me through Your word how I need to live while here on the earth. Amen.
[1 Chron. 16:27; Neh. 8:10; Job 38:7; Psa. 4:6-7; 21:6; 30:10-11; 43:4; 51:12; 66:1; 96:12; 107:22; 119:111; Prov. 10:1,28; 12:20; 15:30; Isa. 55:12; John 15:11; 16:20; Philip. 2:2; 1Thes. 2:19; James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:8-9; Hab. 3:18]jo