April 4 Restoring Joy Read: Psalm 51:12 Jeremy was a young man who worshiped at our church occasionally when in town visiting his grandfather. I was the worship leader. One Sunday Jeremy asked his grandfather, “What’s happened to Joyce? She’s lost her smile.” Was the unrest within me so obvious that even a visitor noticed as I was leading worship? I took a leave of absence and spent a week on retreat, alone with God. It was a time of tears and crying out to God, much as the psalmist cried; a time of examination and searching of my heart. I had allowed circumstances to rob me of my joy. Through prayer, long walks, reading the Bible, and being in the presence of God, my spirit was renewed and restored. When I returned to my church and to my service as worship leader, my circumstances had not changed. But my joy had been restored, so I could once again lead people to the presence of God through praise. Prayer: Dear Jesus, you understand that sometimes we allow the circumstances around us to rob us of our joy. When those times come, help us seek your presence and remember how much you love us; that you are always with us and only desire that we rely on you for true joy. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and renew a right spirit in us. Amen. ~Joyce Duncan Lynchburg, VA Miss Pam
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:11:11 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015