Joy Gems

When our Heart Skips and Jumps for Joy

Psalm 28:6-7 "Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

Has your heart ever leaped for joy? What is that like? What brought that on?

t seems there are more facets to joy than we thought, and perhaps even more kinds of joy. This one David is describing is in response to God hearing his cry for mercy. Suddenly he recalls that the LORD is his strength and shield, and his heart can trust his LORD totally. At that moment joy leaped up in his heart.

This has happened to me at different times too. I may have been praying and pleading for help in some matter that worries me, and then I sense that God has heard me and is acting in mercy towards me. Suddenly I know beyond a shadow of doubt that the LORD abiding in me is the strength for what I need to do, and that He is also my shield to protect me from danger. I can really truly trust Him and believe I will come through this crisis with victory.

Right about there, faith triggers that leap of joy in my heart. Yes! With all glory to God, I'm going to make it through! More than make it through - I'll advance with flying colors!

Psalm 28 is a good example of the transformation in our thinking after our hearts do that little high-jump for joy. The first five verses are David's desperate prayer for mercy and help, and he even tells God how to deal with his terrible enemy. But the last two verses focus on what God is and can do.

PRAYER: That's where I need to be, Lord God. I need to spend more time thinking and praying about all that You are, and can, and will do, according to Your promises, not wallowing in my great need and fright. I know You don't mind if I tell You exactly what I'm thinking and feeling, but my heart will skip and jump for joy more often if I dwell on Almighty, Wonderful, Powerful You!

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