Joy

(Psalm 33:1) “Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”

Heather and I have close friends that gave their daughter a middle name Joy. My daughters’ middle name is grace. They are fitting names for both girls, but both of them have struggled at times to live up to those names. Just like them we often find out that it is hard to live up to the name of Jesus. To have our profession of our mouth turn into a profession of our lives.

The name above all names, the most beautiful name, the most wonderful name. At that name ever knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all mankind! Awesome, amazing – hard to live up to! But are we really suppose to live up to the name or live under His name?

Surrender is the antidote oxymoron of Christianity. By bowing we are built. By bending we are blessed. By allowing we are avowed and find ourselves a better fit of His name. We find that joy does come in the morning because a new day brings new hope, new peace, and new chances to do our best to follow Jesus.

Another year has passed and Christmas is upon us. Have you bowed more this past year to the Christ than the previous year? Is there more joy in your life this year than last? Are you living up to His most Holy name by letting go? Joy is chasing you, joy is finding you, joy is around you and is bringing good news!

The issue is do you see it, can you see it? If not pray David’s prayer today and lift your eyes to the joy of a baby born that saved the world. David prayed…

(Psalm 51:12) “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”