IMPERISHABLE: FINDING THE THINGS THAT MATTER: JOY

Have you ever thought about the power of joy in your life?  Or have you ever considered what causes us to have joy?  We continue this week with our series Imperishable: Finding The Things that Matter Most with a simple reality of “Joy.”  The last few months have drained us of joy.  The grim realities of the spread Covid-19 and the reemergence of an older virus called, “racism” has depleted our sources of joy.  The American society has been living on a diet of fear, anxiety, and anger.   God shares with us a joy that is like no other.  It is a joy that does not fade with time or circumstance.  It is a joy that is imperishable because it begins with God.  This week, we turn Psalm 51:4-17.  King David has been confronted with his own sins of adultery, murder, and lying.  The affair with Bathsheba having Uriah, her husband, killed and the ensuing cover up have been exposed publicly!  The shame and disgrace had to be overwhelming!  Yet, David shows us a path to joy through God’s redemption. Regardless of our broken lives or our broken society it is a joy that is for all of us. As you read Psalm 51:4-17, may you be filled with the joy of God’s presence!  Psalm 51:4 -17 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (NIV)