Day 159 or June 8. Let your behavior reveal your inner joy.
Our thoughts today are from Psalm 40, verse 10. I do not hide your righteousness in my
heart. I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and
your faithfulness from the great assembly.
And now the big picture surrounding this verse. Psalms 39, 40 and 41 were all written for
the temple choir and must have created a great sense of worship. Psalm 39 is a reminder that
man has a limited time on earth, so use it well. Psalm 40 encourages us all to enjoy
doing what God wants, and Psalm 41 urges us into service by helping those who are unable
to help themselves. You don't have to read many of David's Psalms before you know that
he really did wear his heart on his sleeve. When he was miserable he looked it, and when
he was joyful no one was left in doubt about how he felt. David radiated the extremes of
human emotions, but you always knew where you were with him.
And now today's action step. Brits tend to hide their emotions unless they are at a music
festival or a sports event. Having said that, many British Christians revert to culture
with a vengeance when it comes to hiding their feelings and keeping a stiff upper lip when
it comes to spiritual daily life. In Psalm 40 David encourages everyone to reveal how
they feel and not to go around like a poker player practicing for a card game. David urges
us to speak out, but he also encourages us to let everyone know, and there is no other
way than to start looking the part. I have a friend who regularly challenges his congregation
of believers to tell their faces how joyful their hearts are. He gets away with it, but
don't try this at home. Sensitivity and friendliness can go a long way to help open a host of doors
for witnessing opportunities. Why not try imagining Jesus is walking alongside you?
How would you look and behave then? Well, he is with you, so the next move is up to
you.