Comfort That Conveys Joy

When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy. – (Psalm 94:19, HCSB)

I was very worried and upset, but You comforted me and made me happy! – (Psalm 94:19, ERV)

When anxiety overtakes me and worries are many, Your comfort lightens my soul. – (Psalm 94:19, VOICE)

This weekend has been exactly what my husband and I have needed. The weight of the week had grown heavy, and time away together has been a space to relax and recharge. For me, I find joy being outside in God’s creation. There is nothing that makes me more aware of Him than fresh air and all of the colors that surround us. My husband is his best self when he gets to let go of the burdens and be himself. After much pondering about how to best discover a way for both of us to really relax and enjoy our time together, I ordered two e-scooters and helmets for us, prior to this weekend. My Viking and I scooted along miles of trails that run beside the bay, and run through lush green vegetation. We were further able to explore the town, and spent hours riding around, taking in all of the beauty of the area. I am not sure which brought me more joy – our surroundings or watching my mister play and enjoy himself in a childlike manner. I don’t think a smile ever left our faces. We will have time again this morning to explore a bit more before we need to pack up and head home. Already, I feel as if my soul has been lightened, and I am better equipped to navigate the week that lies ahead. God is good, and I am so grateful that He provides joy in ordinary spaces when we take time to get out and enjoy all that He has made.

When life feels heavy,

Take time and slow down;

Observe surroundings,

For peace will be found.

View all the beauty,

That His hands have made;

Joy rises within,

And worries will fade.

Place all in His hands,

For they’re strong enough;

He lightens our load,

Brings smooth to the rough.

Rise up each morning,

And look all around;

Joy is waiting,

In Christ it is found.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can bring our cares and burdens to You, and You soothe our souls and fill us with Your joy as we delight in You. Forgive us for allowing worries to overtake us instead of bringing all before You. Thank You that You call us unto Yourself and restore joy anew. Show us how to love those around us well, so they too, may be filled with Your joy and peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we turn to You with our worries and cares, and recognize the joy that is within as we appreciate all that You have made. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. – 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Hope Nourishes Joy

But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who long for Your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” – (Psalm 40:16, NIV)

But may those who come to You be happy and rejoice. May those who love being saved by You always be able to say, “Praise the Lord!” – (Psalm 40:16, ERV)

But may all who look for You discover true joy and happiness in You; may those who cherish how You save them always say, “O Eternal One, You are great and are first in our hearts.” – (Psalm 40:16, VOICE)

The rejoicing and gladness comes from the seeking and finding. Each time we seek the Lord, He is faithful to be found. He waits for us, patiently, and is faithful to help restore the joy that gets stolen by our circumstances, or hidden by our hurts. Joy is not dependent on that which is going on around us, but rather it is planted deep within us as we learn and lean into the Lord. It is in the recognition that we are not alone and that we have a faithful friend and father to walk beside us and lead us until He calls us home. Joy is rooted in hope, and hope is held as we choose to trust in Him. In this seemingly never-ending season of Covid and of national and international crisis, there is still joy because God is our hope. May we seek the Lord new every morning, and praise Him for the joy that He places in our hearts.

Choose cherish the Lord,

He’s where joy is found;

It’s all about hope,

In Christ, it abounds.

Give Him the sorrow,

The stress and the fear;

Allow the Lord in,

He always is near.

Let us discover,

Our hope held in Him;

That’s where joy rises,

Shines out from within.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are where our hope is held, and that because of the hope we have in You, joy rises within us. Thank You that joy is not dependent on our circumstances nor station in life, but rather is held in knowing how deeply we are loved by You. Forgive us for losing sight of the hope we have in You. Teach us to lean into You, no matter what comes. Show us how to allow the joy within us to rise up and overflow as we love those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place our hope in You, for You bring us joy and are the one deserving all of our praise. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word. – Psalm 119:114

Laughter Lightens the Load

He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. – (Job 8:21, NIV)
First, I love that this verse comes from Job. If anyone knew suffering, surely it was Job. For one who knew such sorrow, to cling to the Lord in hope reminds us that God is faithful in the end, even if things appear otherwise. As a team, there has been much joy and laughter, despite the heat, “Belizian time“, and things not going according to plan. I love how God brings laughter to lighten the load, and joy rises and spreads when a few are intentional to choose it. May we each choose joy today and enjoy the laughter that lightens our load.
The Lord is faithful,

 When we choose press in;

He brings us laughter,

Grants new joy again. 

No matter what comes,

The God of all grace;

Will walk beside us,

Bring hope to our space. 

Receive what He gives,

For there is great joy;

As laughter will rise,

Through goodness employed. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace. Thank You that You bring us laughter and joy as we seek Your face. Forgive us for not embracing the good that You give. Teach us to trust You more so that we would embrace Your grace so that we would receive the joy and laughter You give. Show us how to love others in a way that spreads joy and laughter to those who need to know your joy. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace Your grace and go forth in Your joy and laughter today. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

Rest in His Unfailing Love

We wait in hope for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust His Holy Name.

May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

even as we put our hope in You. – (Psalm 33:20-22)

 

If we were to truly live this way, what might it look like? Perhaps, even in the midst of life’s raging storms, we would do as follows:

 

Press on, continue in expectation, trusting that the Lord is good. He is our Source, Supply, and the Provider of our protection. As we place all trust in Him, joy rises up, even in the darkest of days. His love that never fails, shall remain with us, as we place all of our hope and anticipation of what is yet to come, in Christ.

 

Lord, may we come,

place all hope in You;

for You alone,

are all that is true.

Faithful in hope,

unfailing in love;

our hearts rejoice,

as we look above.

Teach us to trust,

with all of our heart;

for You remain,

from finish to start.

And more than that,

You’re our help and shield;

my heart to You,

my whole life, I yield.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we wait in hope, regardless of our circumstance, You are with us as our help and our shield. Thank You that whether or not we see the evidence of Your hand, we can rejoice, trusting that You are who You say You are, and that You are faithful forever. Thank You that Your love is unfailing, and that it remains with us, always. Forgive us for our faltering hope when the weight of the world becomes an unbearable burden, and help us to place all of our cares and concerns in Your hands, trusting that You will direct our steps and be our help. May many come to know You, personally, as they see the evidence of Your faithfulness in our lives. Let us love as You love, and rejoice as we trust in You, regardless of our circumstance. We love You, Lord, and long to honor You with all that we are. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16