The day started out the same way, as countless days before it had also started. A regular day with nothing special planned. I woke up and thanked the Lord Jesus for the new day, washed my face and brushed my teeth. I could hear the children in their own bathroom washing their faces, brushing their teeth and then saying their Bible-based morning confession. I came to out greet them with lots of hugs and kisses, asking them how their night was. They excitedly told me that they slept well and were happy to report that they had done everything on their morning checklist. A fine achievement since they almost always need reminding.
The children then went on to building Legos and I set out to prepare breakfast. When that was done, I started on the laundry and as I was doing this, I broke out into song, but not just any song. I sang a praise song to God and as I did that, even though it was whilst carrying out an ordinary mundane task like putting dirty clothes in the washer, I felt the joy of the Lord fill my heart! I felt joy as I did this routine job. A surge of great joy come upon me, and this is because I was worshiping My Savior.
The Bible says that in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11) and I know God’s presence was with me because the Bible says so in Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. The Bible also declares in Psalm 22:3 that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. The Japanese translation of Psalm 22:3 is: “When you praise God, He brings a big chair and sits there.” Think about how wonderful that is! And we have already established that in His presence is fullness of joy so as I was praising my God, He came to be with me and just enjoy the praise offering I was giving Him. And as He came, He brought His Joy with Him. Isn’t it so like our God? Who is no respecter of persons, shining down His light and love on all? Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism”
Isn’t it in His very nature that even whilst doing the most common place of things like household chores, He would see fit to tabernacle with me and engulf me with His joyful presence as I worshiped Him in song? This brings to mind what Jesus said to the woman at the well. (John 4:23-24) God is Spirit. A time is coming and is indeed here, where true worshippers of God will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. They will not have to travel to a temple first in order to worship their God. Praise the Lord because any place and any time is perfect and acceptable foe me to lift up my voice to God and praise Him because He is worthy of all praise.
Another thing about the joy that comes from the presence of the Lord is that this joy is special. This joy of the Lord comes with strength. Nehemiah 8:10 the joy of the LORD is your strength.
It started off with praise which led to God inhabiting that praise which led to God bringing His joy as He inhabits my praise which led to strength because the joy of the Lord is my strength. Now I’m equipped to face the day! I’m strong and not discouraged or overwhelmed or even bored but equipped to face the day with the wonderful joy of the Lord and to face the week with the strength of the Lord. Not my own strength which runs out fast and is unreliable but, His divine strength that is a supernatural and knows no bounds.
The laundry is loaded, breakfast is made, now I am off to prepare Bible devotions for the children. This sets us up nicely to dive into the morning portion of our homeschool.
God bless you as you find joy and strength in your everyday ordinary work. Be blessed as you praise God, lifting up your voice in worship and praise to the Almighty God because the Lord inhabits the praises of His people, bringing divine joy and strength with His presence.
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