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I typed the word joy into my Bible app’s search. There was an overwhelming number of scriptures involving joy. I loved it! What I found interesting was where most of them were concentrated, the Psalms.
I’ve always been fascinated by David. I think because I feel a bit of a connection with him. He was a shepherd who as a child wasn’t even brought in out of the field for Samuel to meet. He was set aside by his family, whether by accident or intention.
David wasn’t simply sitting there feeling sorry for himself. He was doing the work set before him, being faithful in the seemingly small things. He had a warrior spirit!
Then Samuel shows up and anoints him and the Spirit of the Lord came on him from that day on. The boy set aside by humanity was set apart by divinity.
David faced many struggles throughout his life still. It sure wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for him. So I find so much hope in the fact so many of David’s writing’s in the Bible contain the word joy.
You see, joy isn’t simply an emotion we feel. It’s a characteristic of our Christian life. It’s one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 (HCSB)
[Tweet “Joy isn’t affected by our circumstances.”]
In Psalm 59 Saul has sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him and yet in verse 16 he writes the following.
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. Psalm 59:16 (NLT)
Regardless of what was going on around him David made the choice to sing to God with joy. He was keeping his eyes on our unchanging God in the middle of a constantly changing world.
[Tweet “Our joy isn’t found in how we feel it’s found in the power of God’s unfailing love.”]
As we continue to prepare our hearts for Christmas, we need to remember the reason for our joy. It’s not found in the packages under the tree, the lights, the parties or the family gatherings.
The joy of the Christmas season is continuing to focus on the real reason for the season. Even when we aren’t feeling joyful we can rejoice in the best gift ever – Jesus!
So, like David, I want to remember my place of safety and true joy always comes from God.
This post is part of Five Minute Friday free write. Join us at thelinkup at Kate Motaung’s where we can read other’s five minute free write. This week’s prompt is JOY.
I’m sharing this post with several other blogger’s at these Faith Linkups. I encourage you to check them out. If this post resonates with you and feel it would help others please feel free to share. Easy to share buttons below. ~Laura~
“So, like David, I want to remember my place of safety and true joy always comes from God.”
I also want to remember Goe provides safety and true joy. I don’t have to despair of my circumstances even if it’s really difficult, God will be with me. Is with me. That’s one of the things I love about reading the psalms is how real and honest David is, but always comes back to god’s truth.
Thank you for sharing this. Visiting from fmf 🙂
“I also want to remember Goe provides safety and true joy” That’s supposed to be “God” not Goe.
I agree, I love how real and honest David is in his writings! Blessings to you.
Psalm 30:5 is one of my faves!
Me too!
I’m so thankful that no matter how I’m feeling, God is standing near to fill me with His joy. Loved your post. Stopping in from #10 at the FMF this week. Blessings!
Thanks Barbie. Blessings to you as well.
These are wise and important words. I recently learned that “happiness” has the same root word as “happenings,” which makes sense because our happiness is usually dependent on the happenings of our circumstances. But when we look to God and remind ourselves of the vastness of our richness in Him, we can have true joy! I’m so glad you shared this with us at Grace & Truth. 🙂
Thank you so much Jennifer. Blessings!
Well written! There is much to glean from David’s life. He’s one of my favorite Bible characters. Thank God for the joy of the Lord despite our trials!
He’s one of my favorites too Kelly. Blessings!
You nailed it Laura!! Focusing on the Jesus, the best gift ever. I’m grateful that this joy is always available and always sustaining if we simply choose it in the midst of our challenges. Wishing you and your family a very joyful Christmas!
Thank you Crystal. That means a lot to me. Praying you have a very joyful Christmas as well.
The thought that we can still have “warrior spirits” in the most mundane times is inspiring to me as an at-home parent. This is a great FMF post. Glad to be your neighbor at P.F. this week, Laura:) Merry Christmas!
Thanks Meg!
Hi Laura, thanks for this sweet reminder! I love this: The boy set aside by humanity was set apart by divinity.
Thanks for your kind words Julie. I just love your blog as well. It’s so beautiful. Blessings to you!