Psalm 4:7–8

"You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe."

The joy, peace and security found in trusting God is greater and better than the joy that comes from having abundance. Imagine that! This does acknowledge that joy can come from abundance, but there is an inner abundance that comes from pleasing God and trusting him. You can experience this joy despite being in debt, poor health, or troubling circumstances. Circumstances will change—for better or worse—but God never does. That's why we can trust him through anything.

Proverbs 23:23

"Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment."

 

What could be clearer direction than these words? Get truth; prize it so much you'd never sell it for anything, because nothing else is worth it. Also, highly prize wisdom gleaned from the Holy Spirit, who shows you how to apply God's Word to your life. Then there's discipline: the ability to sacrifice short-term gain for long-term reward. Finally, there is good judgment (common sense). Prize these and prosper!.

1 Kings 8:65–66

"Then Solomon and all Israel celebrated the Festival of Shelters in the presence of the LORD our God. A large congregation had gathered from as far away as Lebo-hamath in the north and the Brook of Egypt in the south. The celebration went on for fourteen days in all—seven days for the dedication of the altar and seven days for the Festival of Shelters. After the festival was over, Solomon sent the people home. They blessed the king and went to their homes joyful and glad because the LORD had been good to his servant David and to his people Israel."

 

This was a high point in Israel's history. The people worshiped God, obeyed him, and then partied! Full of joy, they reveled in God's goodness. Could this be a picture of what true worship is? Communal worship and celebration of God's goodness, marked by joy—how close does your church experience come to this vision?