Radiant with joy ∙∙

Radiant with joy ∙∙

They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. – Psalms 34:5

Psalms 34:1-8

 1 I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

 2 I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart.

 3 Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

 4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

 6 In my desperation, I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.

 7 For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was a notable American author and poet whose literary contributions have left a lasting impact on American literature. Born in 1850, her works often explored themes of personal reflection, human emotion, and the complexities of social interactions. Among her numerous writings, her poem “Solitude” stands out as her most enduring and celebrated piece.

The inspiration for “Solitude” struck Wilcox during an evocative train journey through Wisconsin. While traveling, she noticed a young woman dressed in black seated across the aisle, visibly overcome with sorrow and crying. Moved by the woman’s distress, Wilcox sat next to her and offered comfort. This encounter deeply affected Wilcox, creating a blend of empathy and introspection. By the end of the journey, she found herself sharing in the woman’s sorrow while simultaneously feeling an inner radiance. This profound experience led her to pen the opening lines of “Solitude.”

The poem captures the essence of human emotional experiences and the nature of companionship and isolation. Its famous opening lines, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone,” succinctly convey the contrast between shared joy and solitary sorrow. Wilcox’s ability to translate her personal emotional experience into universal themes resonated with many readers, making “Solitude” a timeless piece that continues to speak to the human condition.

Solitude

Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

Weep, and you weep alone.

Life is defined by the choices we make. The direction we take is determined by how we handle our challenges and adversities.

Wilcox also wrote The Set of the Sails.

The Set of the Sails

One ship drives east, and another west

With the self-same winds that blow;

 ‘Tis the set of the sails

 And not the gales

That decides the way to go.

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,

As they voyage along through life;

 ‘Tis the will of the soul

 That decides its goal,

And not the calm or the strife.

REFLECT & PRAY

Being in the presence of the Father brings forth an exuberant joy that cannot be restrained. David bursts out with exclamations of praise.

Father, help me to master the practice of praising and thanking You every day. Dispel the dark shadows of shame and fear that linger within and fill my heart with radiant joy.

INSIGHT

Psalms 34 is more than just a prayer; it is a joyful declaration in response to the Father’s perceptive and astonishing answers to prayer. David has tasted the profound joy of being in the Father’s presence, and the feeling is tangible. His heart is thrilled and overflowing with joy. He is beaming with delight. The term “radiant” also appears in Isaiah 60:5, illustrating a parent’s face lighting up with joy upon seeing their children, who had been given up for lost (Kidner).

Isaiah 60:5 Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy.

The Hebrew word translated as “shine” or “radiant” is nahar. Nahar conveys a sense of joyful pleasure. Metaphorically, it depicts “a face glowing with light from a joyful countenance.” In the Old Testament, this radiance is a result of the Father’s light shining on people or people gazing at Him. This same radiance was evident in Moses when he descended from Mount Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the LORD.

The Hebrew word translated as “thrill with joy,” “become joyful and glad,”or “tremble and rejoice” is pachad. This word depicts the trembling sensation of being startled, causing the heart to flutter or beat rapidly. Pachad reflects a spectrum of emotions, including extreme happiness, joy, and gladness, as well as trembling and trepidation. It conveys various feelings, including trembling with excitement and rejoicing mixed with a hint of fear. Visualize what happens when startled; your heart flutters and beats rapidly.

Psalms 34:5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy.

Pause momentarily and imagine being present with David as he expresses his thoughts aloud. His words are filled with enthusiasm and zeal, reflecting an intimate spiritual connection with the Father. David finds immense pleasure in this experience and has an insatiable desire to immerse himself fully in it. Although his outward expression may appear calm and unremarkable, it is anything but dull. He is overflowing with joy and excitement.

Psalms 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD.

But wait, there’s even more. When restraints are lifted, they are replaced by a sense of joyful abandon. We might find ourselves acting in ways that seem foolish but in a positive sense. As Paul states, “We are fools for Christ’s sake” (1 Corinthians 4:10). In today’s terms, it’s like the exhilaration of cheering wildly for your home team when they score a touchdown. His soul is literally leaping with joy as he revels in the Father’s presence (Terrien).

This joy is infectious, and he simply cannot contain it. It bursts forth from him and must be shared. David beckons us to join him. Each of us is welcome to enter the presence of the Father and experience the joy He provides.

How does David become so buoyant? What is his secret? It all starts with praise and gratitude for who the Father is, what the Father does, and most importantly, what the Father has done for us. He shouts of the Father’s greatness and delights in Him.

In other words, David magnifies and blesses the Father. But how can a mere human bless God?

“The idea behind ‘bless’ is to speak a good word about someone: when God blesses someone, He speaks a good word over that person for their well-being; when a human blesses God, they speak a good word about God’s kindness and generosity” (ESV notes).

Paul reiterates this idea succinctly in one verse: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

“Even if it’s not your practice, pick a day this week and praise God throughout the day. Praise Him when you wake up, praise Him when you eat, praise Him when you leave the house and when you return” (Stanley).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 1-2-1

© Dr. H 2024