Joy Pt. 2

Psalm 30

This poem was written by David, one of Israel’s kings. David was a gifted poet and songwriter, and was chosen by God to lead Israel after the previous king, Saul, chose to disobey God. Like you and I, David had seasons of deep faithfulness and confidence in God. He also had seasons where he abandoned God’s ways and chose selfishness and sin. Despite his shortcomings, God had mercy on David and used him to impact the kingdom of Israel and generations to come. Jesus himself came from David’s lineage. David wrote this particular Psalm after he had been instilled as king and his house, or “palace,” had been completed. This event is described in 2 Samuel 5:11-12: 

11 “Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. 12 So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.”

In response to his calling to lead Israel and the gift of his house, David writes Psalm 30. This Psalm was likely sung to a group of people after the completion of his house as an expression of gratitude and worship to God. 

Yesterday, we read about what it looks like to abide in the joyful presence of God in the midst of grief and suffering. But how do we respond when things seem to be going well? At this point in David’s life, he was confident in God’s calling and had just received the authority as King of Israel. David writes that God had lifted him, healed him, spared him, and favored him. 

When things were going well for David, his response was to worship God. David knew that this moment of provision was not from his own doing, but a gift from his father. David had seasons of immense grief, but he says that God  “turned my wailing into dancing;  you  [God] removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy” (v. 11). David was confident in the truth that God turns all grief into joy. When he experienced this, his immediate reaction was to worship God and lead others to do the same. When we turn our attention to the Spirit’s work in our lives, the fruit of joy will multiply in us. This joy looks different from the world’s joy because it is connected to our unchangingly merciful God, and not simply to circumstance or emotion. If it is the brokenness of the world that brings grief (John 16), then it is the goodness of God that brings joy. 

Where do you see God’s provision around you? What area in your life has he redeemed? Where has he turned your grief into joy recently? Write these things down, no matter how small they seem. The more aware we are of God’s goodness and mercy around us, the more joy will grow in our lives.

Now, take a moment to thank God for these things. You may want to write a poem or prayer of gratitude. To give God glory for His work in your life is to worship Him. As you go throughout your day, continue to thank God for his grace and provision. Tell you friends and co-workers and classmates what God has done for you and for you. Lead others to worship God with you.

As you end your devotional time today, pray aloud this Psalm as an act of worship to God. May God’s promised joy fill you as you remember His mercy.