Joyful joyful we adore Thee God of glory Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow’rs 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
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
By: Henry Van Dyke (1907),
Listen to this modern version of this joyful hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we begin our journey through this hymn ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the joy of adoration. Then open your heart and your lips and give Him praise. Let’s think about this.
Acknowledging life’s sin, sadness, and darkness
Most of us do not want to go outside when the sky is dark and the rain is falling. It is equally difficult to get outside of ourselves when there is an emotional or relational gloom in our lives. Sometimes the first step toward believing in can be overcome and dispersed is simply acknowledging it is there. Not doing so is like walking outside in the rain and asserting you will not get wet because you refuse to acknowledge the rain.
What darkness do you need to acknowledge today to begin a journey toward the light of God’s joy? Before you can ask God to drive them away, you have to acknowledge they are there. He knows it. You know it. Acknowledge them and then immediately ask for help in dealing with them as only His light can.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness Drive the dark of doubt away
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2a ESV
Maybe some sin or sadness is making it difficult to receive the joy inducing warmth of God‘s love. He wants to melt those clouds and drive the dark of doubt away. Will you let him? If you will, you will be like those calves being released from a stall, free to leap with joy.
Naming your clouds
Sometimes there are things in our lives which make it difficult to acknowledge that the sun is still shining. Think about it. Even on a cloudy, rainy day the sun is still shining. We just can’t see it because of the clouds. Is there anything keeping you from God’s glory and love?
RESONATE! Take a few moments to think about what the clouds in your life may be. Some sin you have struggled to overcome. A sadness brought on by disappointment with some circumstance. Darkness from something outside of your control. Start by making this your simple prayer, “Jesus, show me Your glory and love.“
Trusting in God’s light
Maybe you have prayed but you simply can not see the clouds parting just yet. That is the hardest part of trusting God: doing so before you see the evidence of His activity. Just like we trust the sun will eventually break through the clouds, that the current storm will not last forever, so we put our faith in the fact that nothing is more certain than God’s light, even the rays of that burning celestial ball.
But that does not mean it is easy. God will give you the faith to believe it and declare it. He will give you the confidence to ask for it even when the clouds are the thickest and darkest. He will do this even when it seems hardest to pray.
Giver of immortal gladness Fill us with the light of day
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV
This gladness is not some fleeting happiness, but an eternal joy. It does not simply warm us on the outside, but from within our souls. Nothing changes God’s desire to fill you with His light. What needs to change us. How can you position your heart to receive his light today?
Believing and receiving His joy
What is the source of pure joy? Peace with God. How do you know you have that? You are filled with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. Ask God to fill you with His light and from it will flow immortal gladness, the fuel for your joyful adoration.
RESONATE! Take a few moments to affirm your faith in God’s light. The clouds will likely not instantly part, but you will be on your way to joy even before they do. Make this your prayer today, “Spirit, fill me with Your light.“
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Joyful joyful we adore Thee God of glory Lord of love
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Psalm 100:1-2 ESV
We are commanded to offer our praise to God so to do so is simply responding and obedience. How do we make that praise, joyful? We consider the One to whom it is offered. He is the God of glory, the Lord of love and He alone is worthy of our joyful adoration.
…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:28b-29 ESV
Our praise should come naturally. Our hearts should mirror the ease of flowers as they open themselves to the sun. They intrinsically know the value of what is shining down upon them and we can as well if we will simply open our hearts to it, to Him. Open your heart.
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2a ESV
Maybe some sin or sadness is making it difficult to receive the joy inducing warmth of God‘s love. He wants to melt those clouds and drive the dark of doubt away. Will you let him? If you will, you will be like those calves being released from a stall, free to leap with joy.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV
This is not some fleeting happiness, but an eternal joy. It does not simply warm us on the outside, but from within our souls. Nothing changes God’s desire to fill you with His light. What needs to change us. How can you position your heart to receive his light today? Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.
Joyful joyful we adore Thee God of glory Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee Opening to the sun above
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