THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 30
“You clothed me with joy that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.” (Psalm 30:11-12)
There’s someone at the coffee shop who is very spiritual, but not a Christian.
As a Jesus follower, I should want him to be like me, right?
Thing is, at least outwardly he is a positive, encouraging – even joyful person.
What about me, how does my spirituality make me, am I a positive, encouraging – even joyful person?
I am not saying that he does not need to know Jesus.
But I am wondering how well I know Jesus, if it is not resulting in a deeper love, joy, peace, etc.
The psalmist describes being CLOTHED with joy, covered from head to toe with it.
This means it is not just filling him, it is showing on him, it is visible to those around.
If I know the Lord, and the joy of the Lord is my strength… does my face know?
Who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, how Jesus changes me, this WILL be life-changing.
It does not produce just an outward joy, the kind that anyone can put on for a while.
It produces a deep joy that leads to visible joy, the kind that others will see, others will desire.
No one needed to TELL the healed lame man to praise the Lord and not be silent (Acts 3:8).
So why do I need to be reminded to praise the Lord and not be silent?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I want to have deep joy, the kind that will make my friend at the coffee shop notice in me. Open my eyes to see the my reasons for joy; open my mouth to share my reasons for joy!