But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11

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Dear God,

You ask of me just three simple acts – trust You, love your name, be joyful in You. No problem, I’ve got that – or do I?

Trust you? To a point, I guess. I always intend to trust you but if the road gets too long and the burden too heavy, I’m likely to give up, try it my way. Sure, experience has taught me my efforts just make things worse but how can I just sit by and do nothing? After all God, aren’t there times when I need an answer now, situations that can’t wait? It is only in those times my faith slips and my intentions fall by the way. I trust You the rest of the time.

Love Your name? The lovely name of Jesus. It’s such a pleasant name to say. When I speak it, the letters seem like they roll off my tongue in a sweet, soft whisper. Yes, I love Your name. Well, at least I love what it represents; hope, peace, comfort, forgiveness, and so much more. Can I say though that I love the One to whom the name belongs? You gave up the glory of heaven for me, what am I willing to give up for you? You suffered great shame for me, how much pride am I willing to put aside for you? You died for me, what would I choose – die or deny?

But that final thing, that’s an easy one:

Be joyful in You. I have joy. I laugh a lot, have a good time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. People who know me would say I’m a pretty happy person most of the time. But, I have to wonder, could it be I am only fooling myself with a kind of “surface joy”? What’s really going on in my heart? I sing praises and lift my hands to heaven, but is my heart filled with the praises I offer up? Is my heart tender for the hardships and sorrows of others or does it only break when I’m the one suffering? Do I fall to my knees to give You thanks for Your daily blessings , or do my knees get dirty only when I want or need something for myself?

No God, guess I’m not there yet, I still need some help. I need Your help Lord. Make me complete in You. Help me to make these truths my truths. Make me to be a doer of Your word, not just a hearer. Teach me Lord, to trust You, to love You, to be joyful in You.