Praise awaits you, O God

Psalm 65:1-4

¹ Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;  to you our vows will be fulfilled.
² O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.
³ When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
⁴ Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!
 We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

 

Are you happy as a Christian?  Do the joys and the happiness of day to day living show that you are a happy person that belongs to God?  Obviously David was a happy man when he wrote the beginning of the psalm at the top of the page. 

There is a story I tell often, of a time when my in-laws were coming to see us, just after we moved to a new town.  They were arriving on Sunday morning so we decided we would all meet at church. My directions were apparently not easy to follow and they were lost in a strange town, not being able to find the church building.  While stopped at a traffic light, my mother-in-law jokingly commented that the man in the car next to them had a huge frown on his face so maybe they should follow him. Sure enough, a couple of blocks down the street, he turned into the church parking lot.

I have often thought that all of us should reflect a more joyous appearance when we enter the meeting place of God's people. However, I believe all of us have sent a message to others that we are somewhat burdened with the worship experience. And to that I will add, our very lives become an example and testimony to those who see or meet us, that we are not joyous to assemble in the presence of God. 

The part of the psalm above is just the beginning of more positive things David has to say about God's followers and their lives of happiness. Read the entire psalm and see the things David has to be happy about.

How could he express such happiness?  After all, David had committed adultery and murder. Grievous sins were in his life.  But God is merciful and forgiving, and David sought the restoration of his relationship with the Father.  The same can happen for you and me. When we seek God we find a loving father who cares and desires the things that are best for us. In spite of our sinful ways, God still loves us and wants us to love him, and learn of his forgiveness.

David's life was a demonstration of the goodness and faithfulness of God. David didn't have to live behind a frown anymore. Neither do we. Yes, difficulties and disappointments come our way, but we learn to leave our burdens at the foot of the cross, where we find the restoration which brings true joy. 

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