Down in My Heart
Theme of the Week: Humor, Happiness, and Joy
Thursday, September 24, 2009
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!…I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels (Isaiah 61:10). Bonus Reading: Psalm 30:11-12
What is joy? I suspect that, to answer this question, each of us has to locate a moment in his or her own life, a moment of special joy, seize hold of it, examine it, and let it be a parable of joy
My own joy parable came one night after hearing a concert by Isaac Stern and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He played one of the romantic concertos that set my heart on fire, and I was deeply moved. So were we all. We received his gift, and when he was finished, we gave him the hallowed benediction of our applause. He took joy in our blessing, and kept coming back for more. And when he came back, we took to our feet. We were swept away, beside ourselves with gratitude, and I suddenly realized that I was enjoying the applause more than I had enjoyed the concert. And I knew why
In the receiving of Stern's gift, and in the giving of our blessing, we were enacting a parable of the meaning of life under God in this universe. We had received a truly great gift. In turn, we were moved by the feelings of gratitude for the gift and a desire to bless the giver.
—Lewis Smedes inDays of Grace Through the Year
My Response: Recall a moment flooded with joy and thank God for that experience.
Thought to Apply:When I think of God, my heart is so filled with joy that the notes fly off as from a spindle. —Franz Joseph Haydn (when criticized for the joyfulness of his music)
Adapted from Days of Grace Through the Year (InterVarsity, 2007)
Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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You've promised the joy of living with you forever. Let me savor the joy of your presence now.
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