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Joy and Hope


Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:6-8)

          In the Iliad, three men and their armies battle for the pride of the men: Hector, Agamemnon and Achilles. Moment by moment as the gods assist or oppose, they experience soaring joy, paralyzing fear or crushing despair. It’s hard not to fall into this trap: associating joy with the momentary experience of getting our way, and the momentary experience of defeat or despair with God being against us. At the same time, this shows us a little about what joy is. Joy is associated with the feeling that someone is on our side, that we are cared for, that things will work out. That means joy and hope are related. 
          Of course, there is a problem with the all-too-human outlook that says “if I think things are going well, the gods are in my favor and if I think things aren’t going well, the gods have turned against me.”  It means a roller-coaster existence of never being able to trust the gods. Jehovah is not like that. This doesn’t mean that those who worship Him never face negative circumstances. It means that those who worship Him have hope that even in negative circumstances, God is working on their behalf. Their joy is in Him rather than in their immediate circumstances.  
          Lord, You have promised that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Cause me to be aware of the light of Your face shining upon me. Your presence fills my heart with joy. Teach me to lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety.

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