What joy...

"OH, WHAT JOY for those whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable,
and I groaned all day long.
Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Finally I confessed all my sins to you and
stopped trying to hide them.
I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord."
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion
to you while there is time, that they may not drown
in the floodwaters of judgment.
For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that
needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."
Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
SO REJOICE IN THE LORD AND BE GLAD,
all you who obey him! Shout for JOY, all you whose hearts are pure!"

-King David
PSALM 32 (NLT)


Like the joy and gratefulness that one is overcome with soonafter a near-death experience . . . I think that's kind of how we are to live everyday of our lives. I am not very good at it, but I need to be. If you have known anyone who has just escaped death- they hug their sons and daughters, husbands or wives closer. They are not ashamed to express the beauty of living life. I heard John Piper compare it to miners who have narrowly escaped death . . . spending days trapped while others work tirelessly to rescue them. And when the miners finally come out into the light and breathe the fresh air- who is doing all the hugging? EVERYONE! Onlookers hug each other. Rescuers are hugging strangers. Wives run to husbands. Life is celebrated- everyone's life is celebrated!
Oh if only the church was a place where JOY was expressed to the hilt because WE have been rescued from ourselves. We have all been where those trapped miners were. All banged up, bruised, and bleeding, gasping for air, about to go under for good. And then the light appears! The Father has chased after us! He removes our shame! He heals our wounds! He gives us new life, new breath! I can't express it any better than David did in Psalm 32.
This Sunday, let's celebrate the rescuing. I want to hug more people, because the truth is that they have been rescued. And so have I! I am happy to be alive.
"Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!" 32.2

Thank you Jesus. I can't wait to see you!