pramsay posted on November 11, 2008 02:37 2262 views

David’s Real Joy

“Your Majesty, can I interrupt you just for a second? You seem to be on a roll. I noticed you writing with a smile on your face. Are you making an entry in your journal?”

“As a matter of fact I am. I enjoy poetry and it allows me to record my deepest thoughts – the musings of my heart. Would you like to read what I have written just now – an exclusive peek before others see it?”

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD. Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD! You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

(Psalm 4:1-8)

“Thanks for sharing that. I’m speechless. You are actually writing songs at a time like this? Incredible! When you wrote about God relieving you in your distress what did you mean? Were you really saying you have been enlarged – you have spiritually grown when the heat was on and the pressure was intense? Usually when something is under pressure it is compressed – not expanded.”

“You are perceptive, indeed. When I wrote to the Lord: ‘You have relieved me in my distress,’ I was actually thinking of the word enlarged. I have grown most in my relationship with the Lord in times just like these. I have known the sweetness of His presence when everything else was against me. It’s just like the Lord draws me closer to Himself each time I go through something like this. It seems He is setting me further apart from the godless world around me and drawing me closer to Himself.”

“Your Majesty, do you mind me asking one or two more questions? I noticed in your poem about your trust in the Lord. In light of everything that has happened, do you still trust Him? I mean, your own son Absalom is leading the rebellion against you. Your most outstanding counselor, Ahithophel has dumped you and jumped on Absalom’s bandwagon. The masses are singing the praises of Absalom. He has stolen the crown. You have been driven from the palace. You’re not on the throne – you are on the run. And you still trust HIM?”

“Absolutely! Others, I can not trust. Men will betray you and let you down – but not the Lord! I don’t derive my joy and happiness from my circumstances. For those who don’t have a relationship with the Lord, their joy maxes out when they have a good crop of grain or loads of grapes on their vines. But my joy isn’t something I manufacture or grow myself. The Lord places the gladness in my heart and let me tell you – nothing can be compared to the joy that He gives. I can sleep like a baby, when I know the Lord is caring for me.”

“That’s what I call real joy. Thanks for the interview.”

Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.

Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start;
I’ve found the secret, it’s Jesus in my heart!

Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that’s worth the living,
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord!

Ira F. Stanphill, 1968

http://www.my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/happiness.html

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.

Warmly in Christ

Peter Ramsay

peter@heaven4sure.com

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