59.1 – Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

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.

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.

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 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.