Short but sweet blog today - I've just been pondering the connection between worship and joy. Check it out:

In Psalm 16:11, it says, "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." In His presence there is fullness of joy. Not a bad promise.

Now check this out - Psalm 22:3 says, "Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel." This one indicates that God is enthroned on our praise. Some people take it to mean that God lives in our praise. God is present in our praise.

If God is present in our praise, and in that presence is fullness of joy, then when we truly worship Him we will be filled full with joy! Not a bad promise. I like it. Not that we should ever praise simply for the selfish reason of receiving joy. In fact, I'm not sure it's possible to praise simply to receive joy - it wouldn't be true, selfless, God-fearing praise. But, man! When we really focus on lifting God's name high in all we do - can you imagine the joy that will come as the sweetness of His presence surrounds us? Count me completely in.

"Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell. (Isaiah 58:6-12)