Inexpressible Joy
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

The Lord woke me this morning with joy in my heart again. He reminded me of this week, of how clearly he spoke to me in the middle of the night, of his plans for the coming days. This joy is almost inexpressible, but the peace that comes with it is so clearly from God that I have said it is almost like my soul is excited. Many of you know of the rough season I just left, of how God let me go down incredibly tough roads of some anxiety, but much worse the depression side of things. He let me go down those dark roads to deepen my relationship with him; to test my faith in him, to mold me into more of the person he wants me to be. I had been struggling with a lot of huge life questions that effected my family, and everyone in my circle of influence; it was a great burden to bear. But in the middle of the night earlier this week, God clearly spoke to me and set my path to the center of his will for this next season. It was reminiscent of when he spoke to me when we downsized the business, pulling out before the economy crashed, and by the grace of God that decision allowed us to survive. In an incredibly sweet time with the Lord, he had detailed answers to all my questions in the wee hours of the morning. The peace of God, the excitement of change, the knowing what he wants for my family is inexpressible, but I will rejoice in it.

This passage above is in the context of the description of God’s sovereign design of Jesus’ work for your salvation. This passage speaks of a depth we cannot comprehend, but of how we can rejoice at how great our God is, and the sacrifice he made for us. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118 is a special song of praise, a writing that carries much description, and is worthy of your study. Take the time to study this writing, see how Jesus recounted it, how many think it was written for a special occasion, but moreover, let God speak to you as you diligently study his word, let his joy fill your heart.

I was reminded of an A.W. Tozer excerpt I read earlier this morning on holiness. The Psalmist here talks about entering the “gates of righteousness,” and Tozer was writing of the pursuit of holiness. “You cannot study the Bible diligently and earnestly without being struck by an obvious fact–the whole matter of personal holiness is highly important to God!” 1 Peter 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” We are called to be different from the rest of the world; to live for God in this pursuit of righteousness, to be salt and light to a very distasteful, dark world. The pursuit of holiness that flings the heavenly gates of righteousness wide open is found through Jesus only, and the hearts pursuit of him in his Word. You cannot remain the same person you were the day before; God transforms you from the inside out, and conforms you into the image of his Son. The joy that comes to one’s heartfelt pursuit is sometimes inexpressible, but many times exudes from the smile on your face, and how you greet the day.