Create in Me a Clean Heart: The 40-Day Challenge (Psalms)Sample

IV. EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF SALVATION

After the recognition of weakness and sin, after a renewed awareness of God’s great forgiveness, a time of joy is ahead of us. Calendar-wise, we are still far from Easter, but our heart knows that the victory has already been won. God does not withhold his love from those who seek him, he lifts us from the pit of destruction, he is a refuge and fortress. God turns mourning into joy, and those who have experienced it cannot remain silent about it. Those who have been redeemed by God have reason for thanksgiving and songs of praise again and again.

God Turns Mourning into Joy

Psalm 30

God has turned mourning into joy in my life as well. Some of those moments were spectacular and completely beyond my expectations!

Various feelings flooded my being then.

Pain, fear, worry, uncertainty, sadness, pain.

Relief, happiness, contentment, gratitude, inspiration and fulfillment. That feeling of being fully loved, and fully belonging.

Those were moments of searching for God. They were my leaps in faith and in surrendering to God’s guidance and action. Like David, I also felt the verse, “that my heart may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”

Praise and worship is a decision. We can always worship - in favorable and unfavorable circumstances. By praising and worshiping, we thank God for his works, and we glorify and exalt his name. Let’s leave our reality for a moment and focus only on Jesus. Let’s honor and praise him for what he is.

By praising and worshiping, we get closer to God and he gets closer to us.

Decide today to praise the Lord with a song. No matter how you feel, come! Sing your favorite song out loud. Or to yourself, if you can’t be alone. Think about the words of the song. Call on the name of Jesus until you feel his presence.