You clothed me with joy!  (Psalm 30:11)

 This is such a wonderful provision of God for all his sons and daughters.  Life is too difficult and often painful to not have a joy provided that is not tied to earthly circumstances.  This joy that God imparts is a “joy unspeakable” (1 Pet. 1:8) and is the strength of our life (Nehemiah 8:10).

As I meditated on this phrase from Psalm 30:11 I envisioned God clothing me with joy before I entered my day, much like a parent would put a warm jacket on a child to cover them before they went out into the cold.  God covers me with a joy that goes with me into my day that often is filled with numerous challenges seemingly designed to overwhelm me.  My joy has to be one that is not conditioned on favorable circumstances or dependent on my own emotional will to remain joyful.  This joy that God gives is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a fundamental reality of life in the Kingdom of God (Romans 14:17).

“God, you are so gracious and generous.  Thank you for this joy…your joy that you have clothed me with.  I realize that my part is to not run out the door without time with you when and where you can clothe me with your joy.  Your joy in me is your presence manifest in me.  I am so grateful that you desire to spend some unhurried time with me at the start of every day.  Thanks for not allowing me to wiggle out of your embrace before I launched into this day.  It’s so good to gaze upon you and listen to your voice of love.  And thank you for clothing me with your joy!”

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