Gasping for Joy

Fear grips me. Unexpected events cause me to forget who He is and what He's promised.

"I am God and there is no other."

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name. You are mine."

"I will never leave you or forsake you."

My peace is so easily shattered when the idols I've established in the shrine of my life--security, comfort, control--topple from their pedestals. Faced with uncertainty, I believe the lie that God's good gifts only come in tidy, pleasant, easy to handle packages. Is He not good?

How can I forget the truth?

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

He alone can satisfy.

In your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The God of the universe has pursued a rebellious and stiff-necked people. I have never done anything to deserve his love, and can do nothing to stop it from continuing.


Be happy in him, O my heart, and in nothing but God,
for whatever a man trusts in,
from that he expects happiness.

Thou hast nothing of thine own but sin,
nothing to move God to be gracious,
or continue his grace towards thee.
If thou forget this thou wilt lose thy joy.

Look not below God for happiness;
fall not asleep in Delilah's lap.
Let God be all in all to thee,
and joy in the fountain that is always full.

~taken from The Valley of Vision