The joys of tomorrow can be lost
in the hopes and disappointments of today.
Nothing comes to us from teardrops
It's given to each in God's own way.

Today, who do I need to love?
Today, who needs a tender touch?
For it is today that matters
to someone it means so very much.

Waiting until another day, another time
while I search for joy along the miles ...
I miss a precious moment God sent
the heart needing just one smile.

The JOY is in the journey!
The journey's end is a certainty.
But it is in the stops along the way
that I find the joy God has for me.

WHAT IS JOY?

The Bible shows us that David is a character who seems to have experienced all the joys creation had to offer. He also seems to have experienced all the tragedy that creation could offer as well. Whether by his sin or just the sheer providence of God,

David endured the death of loved ones, the terror of being pursued by those who wanted to kill him, the slander of his enemies, and certainly many other dilemmas as well. Yet, in his most trying circumstances he could declare the source of his joy or the reason for his joy:

Psalms 43:2-4
For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.

David forcefully proclaims that God is not merely the giver of joy, but rather that God is his joy. God is the pure fountain of joy. To the one who implicitly trusts God, God is joy.

Aren't we all somewhat like David in our Christian experience—one moment exulting in Christ and delighting in His presence with us, and the next moment downcast and filled with sorrow and anguish because of our disobedience to Him.

Declare the source of your joy!

Text (c) 2007 and beyond
Susan Misty Taggart