Joy: a little word that is also very... big.

Psalm 71:23 "My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praise to You."

"Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life."

It is such a beautiful day and a great day to be alive and well in Christ! I just wanted to share this hymn with you all because it is such a reminder to be joyful in the Lord our God. While I was practicing piano today, I was frustrated with the songs that my teacher asked me to play, because they are always so HAPPY! I like the slow songs because they are easier to make pretty and easier to play. Also, it is easier to play a sad song when you are happy than it is to play a happy song when you don't feel that chipper. :-) Anyway, I was frustrated and whining about this to someone and they just laughed and said "It's good for you!". You know what? They are right!

I am studying the book of John and one thing God showed me through this book is where (oh where!) joy comes from. I used to think I could handle obedience just not the joyful part. But those two go hand in hand. In other words you can't have one without the other. So How LORD?! HOW?!

In John 13 I found Christs answer to this question:
"... when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end... Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,rose from supper."

Knowing that the victory over sin has been won, knowing that it is God who has called me and will make me holy, and knowing that in the end I am going to Him, gives me the joy that is essential (cannot be separate from) for obedience. I have every reason to be joyful and every reason to obey such a good God who works out, by His grace and mercy, in me both to will and to do (with a joyful heart) of His good pleasure. Indeed Christ's burden is EASY and LIGHT!

Joyful, Joyful, I adore Thee God of Glory, Lord of LOVE! Wellspring of the JOY of living, Ocean Depth of happy rest!