1 Peter 1:8-9 says, “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

Here is the promise for the end of our faith. Jude verse 24 says, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” The Amplified says, “…in triumphant joy and exultation (with unspeakable, ecstatic delight).”

Here is a challenge for us all during our trials. Hebrews 10:34 says, “…and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.” 

Are you singing, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through…” or are you bemoaning what was consumed in your fiery trial?

2 Samuel 6 was another record of King David as they brought the ark to Jerusalem. Verse 14 says, “Then David danced before the Lord with all his might…” Such an expression of extravagant joy. It literally means spinning around. 

David’s heart was all in. In Psalm 86:12 David wrote, “I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.”

Here is part of a new song called Extravagant Oil of Joy. With joy I lift my heart in song. A song that flows through me like a river. A song that cascades and rushes to be expressed. In pure worship knowing Your joy as You behold me. 

O the wonder. The marvelous wonder and awe. All my sins are cleansed in the power of Your blood. Let my joy be a fragrance that delights Your heart O God. An extravagant oil poured upon Your feet in worship.

A note in my Bible captured my attention. In Psalm 70:5 David wrote, “But I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.”

The Hebrew word for needy is ebyon. Matthew 11:5 says, “…the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Note: One of the earliest groups of Jewish followers of Jesus adopted the name Ebionites that is ‘the poor ones.’

Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” When we acknowledge our spiritual poverty, we are able to cast aside our independence (humility) and receive His grace.

James 4:6 says, “…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Verse 10 says to humble ourselves. Our fleshly independence separates us from God’s grace. When we cry out to Him, our heart is acknowledging our need for the only One who can help us.

14 bloomed last night to an audience of One. Today they will be spectacular for all who see them. I am reminded of Luke 19:40. It says, “…I tell you that is these would keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” These 14 beauties are worshiping their Creator.

I love David’s heartfelt words in Psalm 18:1-3. It says, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.”

In Psalm 34:6 David wrote, “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

Our developing relationship with the Lord deepens as we continually lean on Him. Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, and 28 all have one thing in common. In each type of distress, they cried out to the Lord. 

In 2 Chronicles 15:10 Asa was in trouble. He cried out to the Lord ~ marvelously delivered. Yet, in the end of his life he turned to man. 16:12 says “…he did not seek the Lord…”