Devotional January 27th: Just incase you need some joy.

The precepts of the Lord are right; giving joy to the heart. Psalm 19:8

As I wrote out Psalm 19 this morning, a few things popped off the page to me. (I encourage you to take note when this happens to you. Slow down and ask the Lord, WHY THIS?)

Look at verse 8. Joy to the heart. Mmmm.

I set my pen down and reflected on joy. I’ve concluded this is my favorite emotion. 🙂

The word joy is śāmaḥ in the Greek and its definition is l.i.t.e.r.a.l.l.y the best! Look: to brighten up, blithe, happy or gleesome, cheer up, make glad, be merry, to rejoice.

I mean who doesn’t want this in their life. In their heart!

Is anyone hearing the little preschool song?! “I’ve got joy joy joy joy down in my heart, WHERE!?”

I know, me too!

Well… there is a way to get that JOY in there… “The precepts of the Lord.”

I don’t want to oversimplify this, but it is pretty clear that God’s Word brings joy, happiness, merriment, cheer, glee and gladness in the soul of man.

It literally has the power to brighten up the heart.

Is your heart gloomy today? Sad? Shadowed by hardship, depression, heaviness?

I am so sorry friend. I get you.

But let me just take God on His promise this morning and offer you some TRUE JOY according to King David’s words…..

May these precepts make you sing that preschool jingle with all JOY today…. And note: what jumps off the page? That one is just for you.

Love you all…xoxo B

15 Promises of God with Scripture

God’s promises never fail. — Joshua 21:45 “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”
God is always good. — Psalm 119:68 “You are good and do good. Teach me your statues.”
God is always with me — Joshua 1:9 “This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God is faithful — Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
God is kind and compassionate — Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love {kindness} for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
God designed me for a purpose. — Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
God loves me deeply, no matter what. — Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God gives me power for my life — 2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
God’s presence brings joy — Psalm 16:11 “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.”
God will fill me to overflowing with hope — Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
God will strengthen and help me — Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God will give you wisdom –James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
God promises you an abundant life — “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
God has a plan for my life — Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
God can be trusted — Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”