For the music director, a psalm for the sons of Korah.
Clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of joy! Psalm 47:1-2, TLV

Choose Joy!  Well, today’s verse is a blast from the past! One of the first non-hymnal songs hubby and I learned back in the 70’s, after getting “saved” was Psalm 47 — the whole thing. I can still hear the lively guitars strumming, tambourines, and boisterous clapping. We loved this song and sang it at nearly every Wednesday night prayer meeting. Oh, how we loved to worship the LORD and would witness to anything with two legs. Like a toddler whose first steps turn to running – what joy and fervor.

Sigh. Where did that go?

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:14, TLV

Sometimes we want to recapture the wonder and joy of that season as babies freshly redeemed by Jesus. Those joyful voices were like cooing, squealing, and babbling infants. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But we have something even better now because we have lived and walked and learned — triumphed and failed.

Psalm 51 is King David’s prayer of repentance and restoration after he had done the unthinkable. Nathan the prophet told David the parable of the little lamb which produced an overwhelming conviction of his sins of adultery and murder. Toward the end of his prayer, in verse 14, he asks GOD to restore the joy of GOD’s salvation. His was a voice longing for joy.

This season of joy may not feel joyful

In this season of “joy”, we may be struggling over loss, failure, pain, sorrow, uncertainty. Others’ attempts at comfort may grate against our soul, and that’s okay. Accept the well-meaning offerings. Just remember that we, too can pray that our heavenly Father will restore the joy of His salvation in our life. That He would sustain us with a spirit that wants to move toward healing and restoration and hope.

Life happens. Joy is a choice.

Did you know joy is a choice?

Rejoice in the Lord always—again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4, TLV

Happiness is not the same as joy. Joy is not self-serving or tied to a successful outcome. It comes from our heart and the place of trust and gratitude.

A sacrifice of praise honors Me …” Psalm 50:23a, TLV

There were many times, I had to choose to praise Him. Those moments of worship were as difficult as they were beautiful. Shaky, goopy voice, that was off-key and sung through trembling lips. It was truly a sacrifice of praise, and GOD received it. In return, there was a sweet peace that covered me like a warm, soft blanket. I still blubbered, but it was a bittersweet cry that held me tight in His embrace.

So he said to them, “Go! Eat choice food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have nothing ready. For today is kadosh [holy] to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of ADONAI [the LORD] is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10, TLV, emphasis mine)

Yes, despite any trial we go through, we can choose joy. Quiet joy. Exuberant joy. Clapping joy. Sacrificial joy. It doesn’t matter what our circumstances are or how the voice proclaims, choose joy.