Re-birth Day
You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11
Fullness of Joy – Today is my birthday. Maybe I should take the day off. But then I wouldn’t get the joy of learning one more deep thing about God’s Word with all of you. My fullness of joy would be shortened. So, enjoy my birthday gift with me and we’ll take a look at shova semakhot. Literally, the words mean “abundance of joys.” The phrase is followed by the Hebrew place holder, et, telling me that fullness of joys is the face of God. This is the gift that I need today. All of my greatest joys are found when I am before His face.
When I think about the past years, I realize what was really missing was joy. If I had only experienced the fullness of His presence more often, my life would undoubtedly have taken a very different direction. I don’t mean it would have been more prosperous. That is not a measure of joy. I mean it would have avoided a great deal of trauma, stress, anxiety and disappointment. I would have been far more obedient and consequently, avoided a lot of chastisement. I would not have wasted or despoiled so much of His good gifts. Yes, more than anything else, joy was what I needed.
The tragedy is that joy was always available. I just didn’t avail myself of this great gift. Why? Because I valued doing things my own way. Oh, I had plenty of the right Christian vocabulary. After all, I have a D. Phil. in theology. But what you say doesn’t matter. It’s what you do that counts, and too often what I did was follow my inner voice of personal desire and leverage. Not living by the path that He teaches led me away from what I desperately sought. I had everything a man could want in this world – and no joy in having it. I was a perfect example of Yeshua’s comment about gaining the whole world and losing your soul.
Fortunately, God didn’t give up on me. He very rarely does. Today, I am discovering joy. Much of the trappings of success that led me astray are gone. It is a great relief. “Can’t buy me love,” is a tune that tells the real story. Can’t buy me joy either. And joy is a treasure highly valued.
I’m glad that the Hebrew text puts “joy” in the plural form. God gives lots of little joys, doesn’t He? We don’t have to store it all up for one big joy at the end. He provides fullness all along the way. I see His butterflies and find joy in His flying works of art. I read His word and find joy in its intricate construction. I hold Rosanne’s hand and discover joy in my belonging to my ‘ezer. My world is populated with joys – including each of you. So, thanks for this birthday present. It’s shova semakhot. Gee, it sounds a lot like Yeshua’s comment, doesn’t it? “My joy made full in themselves” (John 17:13).
Today is one of God’s gifts of joy. Share it with me.
Today’s Word: fullness, joy, shova semakhot, Psalm 16:11
God bless you Skip, happy b’day and may your joy be complete. Thanks for this reminder, “…can’t buy me ‘joy'”
Happy Birthday! We are blessed to experience a part of your life and your ministry. May God favor you with many “joys” today. Thank you for your faithfulness and have a blessed day!
Happy Birthday Skip and thank you for sharing the overabundance of joys found in Him and revealed in the Word! My joy increases because of the insights that you share with us. Thank you.
Have a very blessed and joy-filled birthday, Skip! Thank you for sharing your “treasures” and thank you for digging for them! I have learned so much through your teachings and am thankful for you!
Shalom!
Happy Birthday brother, you are a blessing, so have a blessed day!
Shalom aleichem as you continue to be filled with His Ruach this special day, knowing that no GOOD THING will HE withhold from those who walk uprightly…learning, loving, teaching, and living His Word for His glory and your good, for the sake of HaSHEM!!
Happy Birthday Skip:)
Shalom Skip, and a very happy birthday to you. I, like you, take great joy from spending time with our Lord. In Hebrew, perfect peace, is written “shalom shalom”, it is a “double portion”.
May you receive today, a DOUBLE PORTION of His peace and may your joy be in full measure.
Berachot Shalom
Ron Fink
Yarah Ministries
Happy Birthday Ship. You are a great teacher!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! JOYFULL BIRTHDAY! God bless you.
I echo all the above good wishes, Skip; Happy Birthday!
John
Happy Birthday Skip {seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/XtwXpIieZj_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:”Happy Birthday Skip “}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/GV3lBGHlIP”}}}
Elvis’ mother adds a very happy birthday greeting to you too. 🙂 You have contributed greatly to my understanding of and relationship with God. Thank you, thank you very much!!
Elvis’ mother. hehe. 😉
I find that joy is elusive to myself when I speak words of grace as well, but do not follow-through with the truth of those living-words. I know of a sweet elderly lady who wrestles with blindness, hearing loss, and extreme arthritic pain, but each day I cross her path, she exclaims, “God is good.” Smiling while speaking.
I met another lady yesterday who is given mere days to live. Heart problems are taking their toll and she won’t be here long. Her bright blue eyes speak of the joy she holds, “I thank God for today.”
Oh, that we all could live the abundant life, joyously praising Yeshua for His strength and “be of good cheer” while facing these tribulations below. By the way, we all have heart trouble and are dying each day. Some are given the privilege of knowing their departure, others keep holding to themselves.
Happy Birthday too…have another piece of cake!
Skip, I thank God for giving you life, for He is truly the giver of every good and perfect gift! What an example of Christ, giving of yourself and sharing the good news! BLESSED BIRTHDAY, Brother.
Happy b-day! ;>)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – even though it’s belated. You are loved! Kelly