Week #44

There are so many people in the world that are always down in the dumps, Christians and non-Christians alike. Life is tough. It is easy for us to get in a routine of sadness or depression. God has called us to live a better life than that. Whatever your situation God is able to bring you joy instead of sadness.

Look at the life of King David. Everyone would think the life a king would be pretty joyful; servants at your call, more money than you can spend. What a life. Yet, David’s life gives us a different picture. Before he becomes king, his King/Father-in-law tries to kill him on many occasions. After becoming king, his son tries to overthrow him and take his throne. He even has God mad at him for his actions concerning Bathsheba. As a result of his sin the child that he fathered dies. What a tragic life.

In spite of all of these issues we still see David able to praise and worship God. How you might ask? The answer is found in Psalm 30:

I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
      You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
 ² O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
      and you restored my health.
 ³ You brought me up from the grave,^[a] O Lord.
      You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

 ⁴ Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
      Praise his holy name.
 ⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
      but his favor lasts a lifetime!
   Weeping may last through the night,
      but joy comes with the morning.

 ⁶ When I was prosperous, I said,
      “Nothing can stop me now!”
 ⁷ Your favor, O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain.
      Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.

 ⁸ I cried out to you, O Lord.
      I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,
 ⁹ “What will you gain if I die,
      if I sink into the grave?
   Can my dust praise you?
      Can it tell of your faithfulness?
 ¹⁰ Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me.
      Help me, O Lord.”

 ¹¹ You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
      You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
 ¹² that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
      O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

In this short Psalm David answers one of the greatest questions of life, how can we be joyful inspire of our situation? The answer is found in God and a personal relationship with the creator of the universe Time spent with Christ through prayer, worship, and the word brings our spirits up. As we turn our focus to God our situation fades to the background. In Christ is perfect peace and joy for your life.