Psalm 21:1 The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord, and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
David describes all that he had as gifts from God: his heart’s desire, success and prosperity, a crown of gold, long life, splendor and majesty, eternal blessings, and mostly, joy. These gifts make him happy, but mainly his joy is in the Lord and His strength. All these gifts remind him of the giver and blesser.
We, too, look upon all we have, family, talent, positions, possessions, as gifts from God. Then in joyful response we use them to give glory back to Him, and help and bless others.
We can rejoice in the Lord always, every day, for we have received freely the greatest gift, salvation and life. We hear the Gospel regularly and respond with great joy. And no one and nothing can take that away, ever. The believer reflects the joy of the Lord in all circumstances, for He is always there, no matter how sad or bleak it feels around us and in us. The circumstances, the surroundings, and material gifts do not produce this kind of joy and rejoicing, but they point our thoughts to the Person who Gives. Our inner joy is in the Lord Himself, in His strength and salvation, in His character and eternal love.