7 Steps to a Joy-filled Day

Have you wondered how some people smile even when facing challenges while others scowl? What’s the secret behind the smiles? King David knew the secret. He practiced the 7 steps to a joy-filled day in 1 Chronicles 16.

“Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim His greatness.
Let the whole world know what He has done.
Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises.
Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds.
Exult in His holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the LORD.
Search for the LORD and for His strength;
continually seek Him.
Remember the wonders He has performed,
His miracles, and the rulings He has given,”

1 Chronicles 16:8-12 (NLT)

King David experienced many challenges. Many times, he cried out to the Lord about his problems and his depression. We read his prayers to God in the Psalms and other books in the Old Testament.

David offered burnt and peace offerings to God after the Ark of God was placed in Jerusalem. He blessed the people of Israel in the name of the Lord and gave them bread, raisin cakes, and meat to eat. This king appointed some of the Levites to minister before the Ark, “to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.” 1 Chronicles 16:4b

He then gave his song of thanksgiving to Asaph and his brothers to sing.

David, a shepherd, a lion slayer, and giant-killer, danced before the Lord as he ushered the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.

The man God said was a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22) fled from Saul, king of Israel, hid in caves, pretended madness to escape harm, lost a baby to death because of his sin, and experienced another son’s opposition.

But his joy was greater than his fear, sin, or despair.

1. Give Thanks

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)

Giving thanks in all circumstances, even in painful circumstances, helps us to focus on the goodness of God and His will for us. We have seen Him transform those painful moments into moments of growth and transformation.

How has God transformed your pain-filled moments with growth and transformation?

2. Proclaim

“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. … He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.” (Deuteronomy 10:17 ; 21 NKJV]

Proclaiming the greatness of God as Moses declared to the Israelites in the wilderness.

Are you proclaiming God’s greatness and how He has worked in your life?

3. Sing

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:5-6 ESV)

David begins this Psalm despairing “How long O LORD?” But as he remembers God’s love for him, he begins singing.

In times of despair, record how God has shown you His love and sing of His love.

4. Praise

“Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.” (Hebrews 13:15 ESV)

Praise that pleases God is the fruit of our lips, more than just thoughts directed towards God. It is spoken out unto the Lord, either in prose or in song. (David Guzik)

How are you praising God with the fruit of your lips?

5. Rejoice

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 ESV)

Paul encouraged the Philippians to rejoice “in plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” For he trusted that God was in control of his life and would bring about His will.

How are you rejoicing in your circumstances today?

6. Search

“But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV)

From a place of idolatry, the Lord promised the Israelites that if they sought God with all their hearts and souls, they would find Him. That promise is true for you today.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you….” (James 4:8a ESV)

Will you search for God with all your heart and soul? Pray and seek God in the Scriptures.

7. Remember

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:11-12 ESV]

The Israelites frequently told their sons and daughters how God had worked in the nation. They also created memorials that would remind them of God’s mighty works.

Pause and remember how God has worked in your life. Do you see how His works brought you to where you are today?

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7 Steps to a Joy-filled Day