Exceeding Joy

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.
(Psalms 43:3-4 NKJV)

Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:44-46 NKJV)

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27 NKJV)

Far too often, inner turmoil drives us in relentless and fruitless search for peace—peace through another’s counsel, in withdrawal from life, or in our favorite comfort food / addiction (obsession) / idol ("what would – do?"). How often do we stumble around looking for an answer in needless darkness simply because we didn’t first look for the Light?

The Light always brings us to the Father. If we seek Jesus, the Light of the World, we will find Him and we will see the Father. And in the presence of God—beyond the altar of painful sacrifice—is exceeding joy.

Father, in You is light, life, and love. You are the fullness of goodness, peace, and wisdom. When life on earth is difficult and anxious, please remind us to seek the peace of Your presence where darkness flees.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy