17th April 2024
Meditation Verse: Psalm 16 “In Your presence is fulness of joy.”
As my family will tell you I am a big fan of a bee decoration, I have bee mugs, tea towels and pictures everywhere but especially in the kitchen. Quite often the message in the shops is “Bee Happy!” which I avoid because I think it’s too much pressure. In fact, I have a top that says “Just Bee” which is much more achievable. The Psalm this week talks about Joy which is not the same as happiness, by spending time in God’s presence we can find real joy, not just fleeting happiness. According to the on-line definition Joy is a long-lasting state of being, I would put it in the same word area as assurance and comfort. Romans 12 encourages us:
“12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Prayer from J is for Joy, A-Z of Wellbeing, R. Rice:
“He never forgets a sparrow
He numbers the hairs on your head
It’s God, not the devil, in details
From my first infant breath till I’m dead
It’s him that has formed these features
It’s him chose this mouth and nose
It’s his loving gaze every one of my days
He has watched over this frame as it grows
It’s him made my internal organs
He sculpted my brain, breathed my soul
His tears mingle with mine when I’m hurt
It’s his love fills my heart, makes me whole
If he made every feather and wing out there
And knows every sparrow we see
I don’t need to fear
Fret the small stuff
His attention to detail’s for me
See me, Lord
Know my heart
Have this breath
Help me start
Again
Today
To trust
Just you
Fix my gaze on what is good and true
God of the sparrow
Hair-counting friend
You hold me all day
From beginning to end.