“The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.”
Psalm 19:8a
When the Israelites heard God’s Word, their hearts were changed. The Word re-focused their minds and re-instilled God’s principles in their hearts. It produced joy.
Joy is knowing God is ready to use us no matter what our circumstances. Luther B. Bridgers, a pastor and evangelist, wrote of this in 1910:
There’s within my heart a melody/ Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee; peace, be still,/ In life’s constant ebb and flow.
All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,/ Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings,/ Stirred the slumbering chords again.
Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,/ Trials fall across the way,
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,/ See His footprints all the way.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know,
Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.
Now think about this: Bridgers wrote this hymn after his wife and three sons died in a fire at the home of his wife’s parents. Such joy in sorrow can only come through the Word of the Lord.
Joy is knowing God is ready to use us no matter what our circumstances. Luther B. Bridgers, a pastor and evangelist, wrote of this in 1910:
There’s within my heart a melody/ Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee; peace, be still,/ In life’s constant ebb and flow.
All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,/ Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings,/ Stirred the slumbering chords again.
Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,/ Trials fall across the way,
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,/ See His footprints all the way.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know,
Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.
Now think about this: Bridgers wrote this hymn after his wife and three sons died in a fire at the home of his wife’s parents. Such joy in sorrow can only come through the Word of the Lord.
Scripture Focus
Nehemiah 8:1-12
Insight
Joseph stored up grain during times of plenty to prepare for famine. Are you storing God’s Word in your heart for times of sorrow?
Bible In A Year
- Nehemiah 12-13
- Psalm 37
- Mark 16
