The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.
Psalm 19:8
Does our joy lack at times? Jesus spoke directly about this common difficulty of ours in John 15:10-11. His desire is that our joy “may be full.” We have many techniques to try and replenish our joy, yet inevitably we find drought. The Bible is clear that joy is to be found in a personal knowledge of God, His character and His ways. If you are in a dry-time perhaps it is time to reflect on God through His Word and His directives.
There is an interesting picture of this in the Old Testament. Three times the Jews were told to wear “frontlets” on their foreheads to remind them of the Scriptures and keep it in the front of their minds. It is intriguing and instructive the three times in which these occur.
The first mention of this custom is found in Exodus 13:9. The context is found in the surrounding events of the Passover, which illustrates how God would later pass over those whose sins were covered by the blood of Jesus. Oh the joy we always realize because of the doctrine of salvation through the shedding of the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God whose precious blood takes away all my sin.
It’s second mention appears in Deuteronomy 6:4-8. Here we read of a summary of the character and requirements of God. This appearing doctrine reminds us of the nature of God and our privilege and responsibility to love Him with all of our heart, all of our soul and all of our strength. Are we lacking love because our priorities have become misplaced? Is our love for God cooled to the back-burner, or even forgotten? It is the wise person who give honest consideration to these words of Jesus—“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Finally, the third mention of frontlets appears in Deuteronomy 11:18. In this chapter God is setting forth the principle of His blessing. The principle is obedience. Obedience has an effect not only on our lives but those following us. Obedience is very difficult, sometimes impossible, when hypocrisy is present. In verse 19 we read—“You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you are in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” The joy available in our own lives and the next generation when we choose to be a people obedient in the loving ways of our God!
As Christian brother or sister—draw close to God and feed on His Word, and God will “fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him” (Romans 15:13).
Maranatha!