Drink from His River of Delights

Drink from His River of Delights

 

Jesus Christ is our joy – a boundless source of joy.   Joy is just one of the many gifts He gives us when we come to Him.  (Galatians 5:22) The Bible calls us to enjoy our rich relationship with our Lord.  To find rest and refuge in the shadow of His wings. To feast on His abundance and drink from His River of Delights.  Scripture says: “How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both rich and poor people find refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and drink from your river of delights.”  (Psalm 36:7-8)

 

You may ask that since Christ has given you this abundant gift of Joy, then why are you feeling so worried and depressed?  Scripture says that this joy in Him is yours to take, but you must take it.  Seek after it.  Over and over again Scripture reminds us: “Then when you seek Me, inquire for Me, and want Me, you will find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”  (Jeremiah 29:13) The Bible promises that if we will seek Him, we will find Him.  (Matthew 7:7) And, finding Him is pure joy!   

 

There is joy in believing in Christ. Joy in finding refuge in the shadow of His wings;  joy in obeying Him;  in belonging to Him:  in following His Word.  Talking to Him and listening for His voice. We find joy in our relationship with our Savior and Lord.  And Scripture tells us that we give Him joy when we give ourselves to Him.  He says: “I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of My Hands.” (Isaiah 49:15-16) 

 

Jesus calls us to “walk in the light of His Presence.”  This delightful way to walk and live involves trusting and obeying and rejoicing in His Name and exulting in His righteousness.  We can rejoice in His Name because of His unfailing love for us.  And we can exult in His righteousness because He has shared His righteousness with us!  Scripture says: “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.”  (Philippians 4:4)  

 

 Jesus calls us to walk in the light of His Presence.  Scripture says: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”  (1 John 1;7) Christ has given us His light and called us to share it with others.  Scripture says: “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)  

 

We can become very depressed and frightened by the sorrows and evils of this world.  The darkness of this world can be so heavy that we forget that Jesus is the Light of the world. We forget His amazing promise to us that anything we ask in prayer believing, He will give us, if it is in His Will.  (Matthew 11:23-25, John 16:23-27) We forget that in Him our prayers are powerful.  We need to remember that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:1:13) Scripture says: “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5) There is joy in standing on the believers’ many promises in Scripture. 

 

 Because we know Christ as Savior, we have the source of Light that overcomes the darkness.  Scripture says: “Those who look to Him are radiant: their faces are never covered with shame.” (Psalm 34:5) Also: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  (2 Corinthians 3:18)   We need to take time to bask in His Love-Light and soak in His radiance.  Then we can radiate His Love to those around us.

 

The heavenly Father calls all of His children to enjoy Him.  To walk His joyful path of simply trusting and obeying. To drink from His River of Delights.  Psalm 100 is one of many Psalms and passages that calls us to be joyful in Him.  Here it is: 

Psalm 100

 

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

Worship the Lord with gladness:

Come before His Presence with joyful singing,

 Know that the Lord is God,

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves,

We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and praise His Name.

For the Lord is good, His love endures forever,

And His faithfulness continues through all generations.

   

 

 

 

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