I will praise Him!
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Petrie Island, glory — photo by David Kitz
Shouts of Joy
03 Friday Mar 2017
Tag Archives: joy
Restored Fortunes
07 Tuesday Feb 2017
Tags
Babylonian captivity, fortunes, harvest, Holy Spirit, joy, Lord, MacNutt, restoration, restore, seed planting, tears, the LORD
Reading: Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them (NIV).
Reflection
This is a psalm that has two parts—two sharply contrasting perspectives. It begins with jubilation, but it transitions to sober reflection and a prayer for restoration.
Deer on a snowy day near MacNutt, SK, photo by Char Kitz
The historical context of this psalm is readily identifiable. The psalmist is commenting on the joyous return of the exiles following the seventy-year Babylonian captivity—an event that occurred in the sixth century before the birth of Christ. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
The LORD had brought back the people of Israel and they were filled with joy. Have you experienced the glorious liberating power of God in your life? Have you experienced the pure joy of the Lord as you realized your sins are forgiven? And oh joy—this God you serve is as near as your next breath!
I remember a time like that—a time when I was filled with the Holy Spirit. The joy I experienced was so all encompassing that I remember waking in the morning with my face muscles aching because of the smile that had been permanently etched there.
But alas, we can’t live on that mountaintop high forever. In our pilgrimage with God, we eventually reach this line in Psalm 126: Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev. The Negev is the parched desert region to the south of the land of Judah. Streams in the Negev are intermittent. A raging torrent one day becomes a mere trickle on the next day, and then nothing on the third day. The boisterous river of joy turns into a blank line on the desert floor. Then we join with the psalmist and pray. Restore our fortunes, LORD. Our prayer becomes a plea for a return to the joy of harvest.
Response: Father God, I thank you for times of great joy, when we experience your salvation and your felt presence. Help me to sow the seeds of your gospel message today. Amen.
Your Turn: What season are you in? What season is your church in? Is it seed planting time or harvest?
The Path of Life
27 Sunday Nov 2016
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
Tags
I will praise Him!
Road north of farm near MacNutt, SK — photo by David Kitz
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
(Psalm 80:2-3 NIV)
Sing Joyfully
22 Saturday Oct 2016
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
I will praise Him!
Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
(Psalm 33:1-4 NIV)
Your Unfailing Love Supported Me
23 Friday Sep 2016
Tags
adversity, anxiety, corruption, election, joy, Psalms, the LORD, unfailing love, worry
Reading: Psalm 94
Verses 16-23
Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
Unless the LORD had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
The wicked band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will destroy them (NIV).
Reflection
Here is a question that is well worth asking at election time, or really at any time during the life of a nation: Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
1000 Islands boat cruise near Gananoque, ON — photo by David Kitz
Whatever your political persuasion, this is a question that has relevance. Corruption isn’t a problem that is unique to just one party or candidate. It transcends the political spectrum. Corruption and poorly designed laws or decrees can bring misery to millions. According to the psalmist, it has happened in the past and as long as we live in a fallen world, it will continue into the future.
If we fix our eyes on the problems of this world, we can soon find ourselves in despair. Like the psalmist, in times of worry, we need to turn to the LORD. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
That’s the good news of the gospel. In times of anxiety we have someone to turn to. His name is Jesus. He was familiar with suffering and adversity. In Psalm 55 we read, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22). The apostle Peter reiterates the same thought: Cast all your anxiety on him [God] because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
In times of trouble the unfailing love of the LORD will sustain you. In times of loss His consolation will bring you joy. That’s the promise of Psalm 94. It’s a promise that’s worth clinging to in good times and bad, and yes, even in election years.
Response: LORD God, I am so glad that first and foremost I live under your Kingdom rule. You are my King. I find unfailing love and consolation in knowing you. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you facing adversity now? How can I pray for you?
The Path to Life
27 Saturday Aug 2016
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
Tags
The Path
The path to life, Gatineau Park, QC — photo by David Kitz
You have shown me
the path to life,
and you make me glad
by being near to me.
Sitting at your right side,
I will always be joyful.
(Psalm 16:11 CEV)
A Cause for Celebration
11 Thursday Aug 2016
Reading: Psalm 81
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph.
Verses 1-9
Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the timbrel,
play the melodious harp and lyre.
Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
When God went out against Egypt,
he established it as a statute for Joseph.
I heard an unknown voice say:
“I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.
In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
if you would only listen to me, Israel!
You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not worship any god other than me (NIV).
Reflection
Psalm 81 begins with a call for God’s people to celebrate: Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.
A celebration in the sky — photo courtesy of Donald Adam
Why should we break forth in music and song? Well, we have a good reason to celebrate. We have been set free from our burdens. Because of the victory of Christ, we have been set free from slavery to sin. The psalmist expresses this thought with these words: I heard an unknown voice say: “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you.”
Who is that unknown voice? That unknown voice belongs to the LORD. He is the One who set the people free from bondage in Egypt. God went out against Egypt. He opposed the most powerful nation of the world at that time and claimed a people for Himself by rescuing them from the hand of Pharaoh.
Our heavenly Father has done the same for us. At the cost of his life, Jesus redeemed us from bondage to sin and Satan and he brought us into his Kingdom. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14). We have plenty of reasons to celebrate and break forth into music and song. Let nothing hold you back. The joy of the Lord is our strength.
Response: LORD God, I thank you for rescuing me from a life of sin and futility. I praise you for redeeming me. I rejoice in your continual goodness. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you find it difficult or easy to break into song as you think of the Lord’s love for you?
My Heart Leaps for Joy!
18 Friday Dec 2015
Posted in Friday's Focus, Psalms
Tags
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him (Psalm 28:7 NIV).
Percé Rock. Percé, QC – photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is joy.
In Psalm 28 we read that David’s heart leaped for joy and he sang out his praise to God. But in this Advent season we read of someone else who had a similar experience.
Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist reports having this experience when she was greeted by the mother of our Lord, “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:44-45 NIV).
Jesus our redeemer is coming into the world. Leap for joy!
Response: LORD God, thank you for sending Jesus – a real flesh and blood baby into the world. You fulfilled all your promises and have come to dwell among us. Oh, what joy! Amen.
Your Turn: Is Jesus dwelling in your heart through the Holy Spirit?
Right Living Produces Joy
17 Thursday Dec 2015
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Tags
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Psalm 19:8, NIV).
Percé, QC – photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is joy.
To put it simply the LORD’s ways are higher and better than our ways. I always want the shortcut, the easy way. But my shortcut and my quick fix can short circuit the excellent plan that God has in mind for me.
We all want joy, but that joy comes in fullest measure when we patiently obey God’s commands. There is a joy that comes from doing His will that the world cannot receive or comprehend.
Response: LORD God, I want to experience your joy. Give me eyes to see your beautiful plan. Give me a heart that willingly obeys your word. Amen.
Your Turn: Is your life built on the rock solid word of God?
A River of Joy
16 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Tags
A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High (Psalm 46:4 CEV).
Lake Placid, NY — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is joy.
Are you drinking from streams of joy? Jesus promised that through the gift of the Holy Spirit we would become a source for joy. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:38 NIV).
Where the Spirit of God is moving there is newness of life and joy.
Response: LORD God, I want to experience your joy. Give me a greater measure of your Holy Spirit. Fill me to overflowing. Amen.
Your Turn: Is Jesus a source of joy in your life?
I love the Psalms 