Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You

"Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob." Psalm 81:1

Excitement was in the air. The day had finally arrived when Jesus would enter triumphantly in Jerusalem. The disciples anticipated a type of government takeover and were ready to do anything for Jesus. They prepared a young donkey for Him and started the procession. People gathered along and followed them shouting praises. Some throwed their garments on the way for Jesus to walk through. Others agitated palms as they cried out "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

But the procession didn't advance without objection. The Pharisees realized this manifestation threaten their status quo and told Jesus to silence this crowd. Jesus answered, "if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." I wonder what type of people would follow Jesus that day. People who knew him? People who had experienced a difference in their lives? People that Jesus had touched?

Happy people are grateful people. I imagine Mary Magdalene in this crowd. She was possessed by seven demons when Jesus found her. But the evil spirits couldn't stand the power of Jesus. People like Jairus, whose daughter Jesus raised form the dead. People like the man suffering from abnormal swelling. Jesus touched him, healed him and sent him on his way. People like the paralyzed man brought down from the roof when Jesus was preaching. Jesus not only forgave his sins but told him "take your mat and go home."
People like Bartimaeus, who was blind and was healed when Jesus said "receive your sight; your faith has healed you." People like the man who had leprosy and was among a group of ten other lepers that begged Jesus for healing. Jesus sent them all to the priests and were cleansed as they went. He was not a Jew but was the only one that came back to thank Jesus.

You might say "all those stories are fine but what about me? I haven't even found Jesus!" Let me tell you that He's actually calling you right now saying "here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me." Revelation 3:20

You might say "I'm fine, but how can I be happy when someone in my family is suffering beyond what you could ever imagine?" I have no words for you, but Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

A grateful heart is a joyful heart. Regardless of what life may or may not be giving me, I still find things to be thankful for. I have a precious family, a job that I enjoy, good health, a community of faith, and many more blessings that I try not to take for granted. But the one thing I'm most grateful for is our redemption through Jesus Christ. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8).

Are you grateful today? Are you joyful?

Verse 1:
Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before You,
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt a-way;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

Verse 2:
All Your works with joy surround You
Earth and heaven reflect Your rays
Stars and angels sing around You
Center of unbroken praise
Field and forest, vale and mountain
Flowery meadow, flashing sea
Chanting birds and flowing fountains
Call us to rejoice in You

Verse 3:
You are giving and forgiving
Ever blessing, ever blest
Well spring of the joy of living
Ocean depth of happy rest
You our Father, Christ our brother
All who live in love are Yours
Teach us how to love each other
Lift us to the joy divine

Words by Henry van Dyke