The Joy Of The Lord

Many shouted aloud for joy. Ezra 3;12

I have had back problems for well over a week now. Since I have already had one operation I find I tend to let worry creep in at this very obstacle. As I stare into the mirror and see my twisted trunk reflecting back at me it is a challenge to walk away " shouting aloud with joy."

Usually when I am laying on the floor and looking up at ankles walking by my joy slips completely away. So where is this joy we speak of? As Satan came to steal my joy with this go round of back trouble I realized that joy comes from something much deeper. Joy comes from understanding that there is completeness in our absolute surrender of everything we think of
to the cross.

When our thoughts are not our own but guided by a hidden hand then and only then can we experience this euphoric joy. So I found I had to attach myself to what might happen in the future. I had to walk away from worrying what could, would happen with my back.

Let us never forget that the cares of our plights need to be surrendered over and just let God be God. So I focused on still being a light in the darkness around my house. I just wanted to do the will of the Father and still let the joy shine through.

And I discovered that my lips were not parched with the dry , empty life filled with worry but with the ever flowing waters of Jesus Christ. So through my pain I still maintained a gladness of
heart. For the first time in thirty years of dealing with my pain I sensed and abundance of joy that was unspeakable. And soon my back pain subsided and presto I am back to normal.

Lord,
wet my parched lips
with joy multiplied
remembering the cross
and that Jesus died.

Come in the quiet
and dwell in my heart.
Wash me and bathe me.
I need a new start.

I am ready and waiting
to experience the joy
that a child always sees
in a brand new toy.

Brad McGill
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