{"id":1270,"date":"2010-10-03T01:48:44","date_gmt":"2010-10-03T01:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-abundant-joy.html"},"modified":"2010-10-03T01:48:44","modified_gmt":"2010-10-03T01:48:44","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-abundant-joy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-abundant-joy.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling<\/em>: Abundant Joy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Abundant Joy!
<\/h3>\n
READ Psalm 4:1-8<\/a><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Psalm 4:7<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

When
\nhave you felt really, really joyful? When have you been so full of
\ngladness that you just couldn’t keep it inside? Perhaps it was on the
\nday of your graduation from college . . . or the graduation of your
\nchildren. Maybe you felt great joy when you were honored at work or in
\nthe community. Or, it may be that you are most joyful on holidays when
\nyour whole family is gathered around the table for a festive meal. <\/p>\n

In
\nthe agrarian society of ancient Israel, abundant harvests produced
\nabundant joy. When the people planted their grain and grapes, they
\ncould never be sure how it would all turn out. If the right combination
\nof factors, especially rain, sun, and fertile soil, came together, then
\nthere would be plenty to eat, and even something left over to be traded
\nor sold. When the grain and grapes were plentiful, the people rejoiced
\nplentifully.<\/p>\n

According to Psalm 4:7, however, the Lord gave
\nDavid “greater joy” even than the rejoicing over a bountiful harvest.
\nSometimes this joy came from God’s tangible blessings. At other times,
\nthe joy came from God’s presence and protection (4:8). When the “light”
\nof God’s own face shines upon us, then we know the fullness of joy.
\nThis doesn’t mean, of course, that we are free from cares and burdens.
\nBut it does mean that our joy is not dependent on circumstance, but
\nrather on the love of God for us . . . something that never fails.<\/p>\n

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION<\/strong>:
\nWhen have you been very joyful? What helped you to feel this way? Have
\nyou experienced the “greater joy” of God’s presence and favor? When?
\nHow might you be even more open to God’s joy today?<\/p>\n

PRAYER<\/strong>:
\nGracious God, thank you for the good gifts of this life, for abundant
\nharvests, for dear friends and family, for achievements and honors.
\nThank you for creating me with the capacity for joy.<\/p>\n

Even more,
\nI thank you today for the “greater joy” that comes from you. How
\ngrateful I am that you make yourself known to me. How much I appreciate
\nyour presence and protection. <\/p>\n

O Lord, may I live in your joy
\nmore and more each day. May I share that joy with others, drawing them
\ninto a deeper relationship with you. <\/p>\n

I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

\"high-calling-screenshot-4.jpg\"<\/span>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . .<\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling of Our Daily Work <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>), a wonderful website about work and God<\/em>. You can read my Daily Reflections<\/a> there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox<\/a> each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Abundant Joy! READ Psalm 4:1-8   You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. Psalm 4:7 When have you felt really, really joyful? When have you been so full of gladness that you just couldn’t keep it inside? Perhaps it was on the day of your…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Abundant Joy - Mark D. Roberts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-abundant-joy.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Abundant Joy - Mark D. Roberts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Abundant Joy! READ Psalm 4:1-8   You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. Psalm 4:7 When have you felt really, really joyful? When have you been so full of gladness that you just couldn’t keep it inside? 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1270"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1270\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}