Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4
Just as we take our empty self to God to be filled with His love, we also go to Him when we need to be filled with His true joy. You can receive it from these three sources:
God Himself. God—the only source of true joy—wants to give you His joy. You need only to turn to Him to receive it. “Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God” (Psalm 43:4).
God’s salvation. Isaiah wrote of his gladness: “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).
God’s promise of eternal life. You can look forward to your future in Christ. Even in difficult times you can celebrate your future in Christ—a future that holds not death, but everlasting life with God in heaven! Psalm 16:11 describes what that future will be like in the presence of God: “In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Clearly, the joy of the Lord is marvelously available to you 24 hours a day, every day of your life—and for all of eternity … which is yet another source!
In Finding God’s Path Through Your Trials, Elizabeth George reminds us that God won’t give you trials you cannot bear without including a way of escape. By turning to Jesus, you will find hope, joy, and meaning in your journey, no matter how bumpy it seems.
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people
live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14
million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of
Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
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DEVOTION: The words, “honor your father,” appear many times throughout the bible. In fact, it’s one of the ten commandments right alongside, “honor your mother.” In fact, it is the first command that provides a promise, “… so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the ea...
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Then I will go to the altar of God,
