Jesus - Our Desire, Our Joy
Jesu, joy of man's desiring, Holy wisdom, Love most bright, Drawn by thee, our souls aspiring. Soar to uncreated light. Johann Sebastian Bach
The classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach was a man whose love for Christ seeped through his music and the lyrics that he wrote for his vocal pieces. One of these vocal pieces is called “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire.” The beautiful music accompanying the lyrics gives you a sense of Christ’s holiness and His nearness. Through the title, Bach is really saying that desiring Jesus gives us joy. This joy will cause praise to naturally flow from our lips.
God has designed us with an innate desire to praise Him. Our praise to God will naturally resound when life is smiling at us. But we live in a broken world, and we have to deal with the issues of this world – a devastating medical diagnosis, the loss of a job, a child who has succumbed to substance abuse, or the loss of a loved one. When these distressing circumstances overwhelm us, we are often paralysed and unable to praise Him. We quite frankly don’t see any reason to praise Him.
Great Is the Lord, and Greatly To Be Praised
It is in these dark times that God desires us to praise Him, to exalt His name. It is in these dark moments that Jesus draws us to Himself so that we can enter His presence and receive the joy that only He can give (Psalm 16:11). This joy comes when we encounter a loving, faithful God who does mighty deeds. Our encounter with our Saviour will cause praise to rise in us as we “soar to His uncreated light” that dispels the darkness. We will sing our song of praise and declare in our sorrow and grief: You turn my mourning into joyful dancing. You take away my clothes of mourning and clothe me with joy, I will sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:11-12
We declare, as we wait on Him who is able to perform miracles in our hardships: “Who is like you among the gods, O Lord - glorious in holiness, awesome in splendour, performing great wonders? Exodus 15:11
We declare that He is the Rock of our Salvation who saves us out of our troubles:” I sing joyfully to the Lord, the Rock of my Salvation. I come to You with thanksgiving. I sing praise to You for You are a great God and King above all Gods.” Psalm 95:1-3
Even in our dark season, He gives us strength and grace to lift our hands and voice in praise to Him.
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Psalm 150:1,6
Reflection:
Are your hardships making it difficult for you to raise your hands in praise to God? Why not use the verses of scripture in this devotional to praise Him?
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are the Rock of my Salvation. I pray for your strength and grace to lift my hands in praise to You. As I praise You, I pray that Your loving hand will comfort me in my sorrow. I pray that through Your almighty power, You will intervene in my situation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
