Joy for the Journey
"I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’" - Psalm 122:1
Life is a journey filled with struggles, setbacks, and uncertainty. There are moments when you feel drained, overwhelmed, and ready to quit. But the psalmist reminds you of something powerful. Even in the middle of turmoil, disappointment, and controversy, he still said, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”
This psalm was written at a time when people were questioning worship. The temple had been destroyed. Leaders were corrupt. The world around them was filled with division and brokenness. Yet, the psalmist still found joy, not because everything was perfect, but because he knew where his strength came from. His focus was not on the people in the courtyard. It was on the presence of God inside the temple.
That is the kind of joy you need. Not just happiness, which fades when circumstances change, but joy that fuels you for the journey. Joy that sustains you when life gets tough. Joy that reminds you of who God is, even when everything around you feels unstable. Psalm 28:7 says the joy of the Lord is your strength.
When you come into God’s presence, you receive what you need to keep going. Strength to face your struggles. Power to overcome your problems. Inspiration to confront your challenges. This is why the psalmist was glad. He knew that when he entered God’s presence, he would leave with something he did not have before.
You may come to Him feeling discouraged, but you can walk away with peace. You may be burdened, but you can find hope. You may cry out from a place of emptiness, but you can be filled. That is what happens when you focus on God’s presence.
Don’t let distractions, disappointments, or what is going on around you steal your joy. Fix your eyes on God. Let Him strengthen you. Let Him fill you. The joy you receive in His presence is the fuel you need for the journey ahead.
Life is a journey filled with struggles, setbacks, and uncertainty. There are moments when you feel drained, overwhelmed, and ready to quit. But the psalmist reminds you of something powerful. Even in the middle of turmoil, disappointment, and controversy, he still said, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”
This psalm was written at a time when people were questioning worship. The temple had been destroyed. Leaders were corrupt. The world around them was filled with division and brokenness. Yet, the psalmist still found joy, not because everything was perfect, but because he knew where his strength came from. His focus was not on the people in the courtyard. It was on the presence of God inside the temple.
That is the kind of joy you need. Not just happiness, which fades when circumstances change, but joy that fuels you for the journey. Joy that sustains you when life gets tough. Joy that reminds you of who God is, even when everything around you feels unstable. Psalm 28:7 says the joy of the Lord is your strength.
When you come into God’s presence, you receive what you need to keep going. Strength to face your struggles. Power to overcome your problems. Inspiration to confront your challenges. This is why the psalmist was glad. He knew that when he entered God’s presence, he would leave with something he did not have before.
You may come to Him feeling discouraged, but you can walk away with peace. You may be burdened, but you can find hope. You may cry out from a place of emptiness, but you can be filled. That is what happens when you focus on God’s presence.
Don’t let distractions, disappointments, or what is going on around you steal your joy. Fix your eyes on God. Let Him strengthen you. Let Him fill you. The joy you receive in His presence is the fuel you need for the journey ahead.
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