GOD IS MY EXCEEDING JOY

Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto GOD MY EXCEEDING JOY: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God – Psalm 43:4

When you are willing to believe and proclaim the Almighty GOD as your EXCEEDING JOY, then you will never have reason to be depressed, disappointed or to hang your harp! What a precious truth, powerful proclamation, and profound reality! These scriptures define the ultimate goal of life and present practical steps to take when you feel distant from God or wondering if God has forsaken you! Remember this: the Lord has promised to never leave or forsake you (Heb.13:5). No matter what you’re passing through, never doubt His control, His wisdom or His goodness. His is the all-wise, all-ruling, and all-loving hand. Never abandon the warm embrace of God’s sovereign will, wisdom, love, and goodness.

Let’s briefly analyse and personalise the five verses of this brief but highly illuminating Psalm. Verse 1 describes what was going on in the psalmist’s life; while verse 2 describes what was going on in his soul in response to the adverse situation. His soul was obviously divided by doubt, swinging between confidence in God and fear of the adversaries. This is not an uncommon condition among many of us Christians – a divided, doubtful or torn heart. It was like the man who pleaded with the Lord, “I believe, help my unbelief” (Mk.9:24). Thankfully, part of this heart was still taking refuge in God. So, he quickly switched gear and began to cry out against his circumstances, asking God to change them, and to grant him the Victory. As you cling to and call upon Jehovah, He’ll plead your cause against ungodly authorities and deliver and rescue you from the deceit and injustice of the wicked (v.1).

The God of your strength will neither cast you off nor allow you to mourn under the oppression of the enemy (vs. 2). However, beyond simply pleading to be vindicated and rescued, the Psalmist turned to the Lord and began to speak to God, asking that he be led not mainly out of trouble, but to God – and specifically to God his exceeding joy! In the same vein, He who is the Light of Life will send out His light and truth to lead and usher you unto His holy hill and to His amiable tabernacles (v.3). He who dwells in Shekinah Glory will lead you to His altar and to His throne, and reveal Himself as your “Exceeding Joy”! Assuming the right spiritual posture will enable you to joyfully ascend to the altar of God in exuberant praise (v.4). Our altar is none other than Jesus Christ crucified and risen, and seated before the throne of God!

Finally, the psalmist spoke to his own soul, calling on his soul to hope in God. The Vision of God had overshadowed whatever the enemy was doing. That was not in view anymore. Established in the Vision of the Divine, he could now speak to his own soul firmly and efficaciously. Beloved, now the ball is in your court: the choice is yours either to rejoice or to regret. It is within the decision of your will to either praise God or to murmur before Him. I’ve chosen to speak to, encourage and command my soul: “Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (v.5). Preach the Gospel to yourself! And surely, the Lord will prove Himself as the Health of your countenance. Upon the high pedestal of Joy, your soul will be lifted from the valley of dryness, despondency and depression.

Isaiah buttressed the Psalmist’s meditations: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be JOYFUL in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isa.61:10). Irrespective of my circumstances, I choose to “rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab.3:18). The final Goal of Life is GOD Himself, experienced as your Exceeding Joy!