“O Lord… you have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound,” and when the stock market is up and political “crazy” in down, and when the trout are big and all my teams win. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, King Jesus, make me dwell in safety.” (pp Psalm 4:7-8)
Lord Jesus, Wow!… simply Wow! King David didn’t pen these words from on a “vacay” overlooking the Mediterranean sea, but at a time when his son, Absalom was trying to mortally “pen” him with a sword. Thus, our joy isn’t dependent on pleasant circumstances but your loving presence.
Whatever makes us sad, fearful, and angry isn’t ultimate. Only you are, Jesus. When we pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done,” we’re not pining for a nicer day; we’re prophesying about the perfect Day. We can lie down and sleep peacefully and get up with joy and hope because your tomb has never been more empty and your throne never more occupied.
Not a hair can fall from our heads, not a breath can be snatched from our lungs, not a beat can be missed by our hearts apart from your sovereign purposes and pleasure. This doesn’t make life easy; it makes us yours. You’ve already reversed death’s “victory,” obliterated its “sting” (1Cor.15:55), and you will finally eradicate its very existence. Thank. You. Jesus.
The “more joy” (Ps.4:7) you’ve put in our hearts comes from the “excellency of knowing you” (Phil.3:8), the confidence you are working in all things for our good (Rom.8:28), and the hope that you are returning “soon” to make all things new and beautiful” (Rev.21:5, Eccl.3:11). Glory, Glory, Glory, and So Very Amen.