Taking refuge in God - a joyful option

Many thanks to Charles Schulz over the years, for the fun of Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. I posted that picture because Snoopy's dance has always exemplified pure joy to me.

And David is ending Psalm 5 on such a joyous note!

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
    you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (v 11-12)

David has selected the largest rock he can find and thrown it in the pond. The ripples are spreading out everywhere! He has broadened his application of this song to "all" who are under attack and take refuge in God.

I think we can be certain that David's attackers were still prowling around. Like a pack of wolves who have caught the scent of their prey, they are on his trail. But David has taken refuge in God. He's had time to pray, and he has reminded himself of God's righteousness as a judge. He's also reminded himself that he must come reverently to God because it's by His grace that we can seek His face.

Now, David is so overflowing with joy in the Lord that he begins to sing. It's only the first of over seventy references to singing in the Psalms! Convinced again that God is his defender, David is joyous in the refuge that God blesses all of us with. Being glad and joyful in the Lord should come easy, no? Think of all the things we should glorify God about!

You see, being joyful doesn't depend on our feelings. 

We don't have to "feel" happy to be joyful!

Our joy can persist through hardships and even pain.

Paul knew what it was like to suffer. He knew great physical pain; he knew emotional and mental pain. Still, he said it was OK -- he knew God was his refuge:

 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13, NIV)

We become stronger as we pursue our relationship with Christ, as we seek refuge in Him. That strength allows us to grab hold of joy and hold it fast. There may be times that we see Paul's words in verse four as an insurmountable, unattainable goal:

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  (Philippians 4:4)

But Paul gave us the key to make this happen:

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (V. 6-7)

David and Paul are both telling us that we believers can be joyful even when we are under attack. They're telling us that He is the righteous judge, and that we can draw near to Him and be joyful because he will defend us. David's last words in verse twelve bring to mind a shield placed between us and our attackers -- a shield made and held there by our Father God.  David knew about that shield, and sang to the Lord in joy. Paul and Silas knew that joy when they sang praises in the Philippian jail. We can know that joy when we are under attack, too. 

Run to the loving arms of God - let Him be a refuge and defender!