My sweet friend Kortnee has an eye that notices the little things and a heart that feels the big things. We are blessed that she writes about them here. Please make her feel welcome by posting a comment below!

This has been a difficult week for me. I have had a hard time finding joy. Believe me, I’ve been looking and looking.

I’ve been reading through a book with the women at my church and one line really stuck out to me last week.

What if growing in grace was more about humility, dependence, and exalting Christ than it is about defeating sin? – Barbra Duguid, Extravagant Grace

WOW and this was just in the preface; I can’t wait to finish the book! So right away I prayed, “Lord, please help me to be more loving and humble towards others, more dependent on you, and exalt you more in my life!”

That was probably the scariest prayer I could have ever prayed. The Lord is really showing me this week that I’m prideful, “independent”, and self-glorifying. He has shown me at work, in my marriage, on the road, in my family… And you know how I reacted? “Okay, God, you can slow down now. I get it. I’m sinful in ways I didn’t realize.” I said all of that instead of glorifying Christ through it all. Way. To. Go.

But then I came across Psalm 19. Today’s #SummerOfJoy scripture reading is the entire chapter of Psalm 19. The first time I read through it I was like, “Okay, super. Check that off my list!” (I tend to get into a pattern like that when I read the Word on my own, do you?) But I didn’t really understand it. What are the it’s and who are the they’s? “The fear of the Lord is clean” (Psalm 19:9)? What is this psalm talking about?

Praise God I have a Study Bible! I would be so lost without it and my commentaries. So, using my resources, I figured most of it out. And it’s beautiful!

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. – Psalm 19:1

The first section is all about creation speaking about the Creator. He has made some marvelous and majestic things. He loves His creation; it’s clear in the way He has created it. He loves us more than anything; we are created in His image. I can see His hand creating and working things around in my week. He is active with me, He’s not leaving me.

The rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to to be desired are they than gold, even much gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. – Psalm19:9b-10

The 2nd section of Psalm 19 talks about the law of God and how it addresses the soul. This week I have been seeing the law of God as a finger in my face pointing out all the things I’ve done wrong. but the law of the Lord is reviving the soul. And I’m starting to feel that as I’m diving deeper into the text.

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So how are we supposed to react to the creation and the law of the Lord?

We ask God to make us blameless and pleasing to his sight!

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What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Question 1 of the Westminster Confession).

Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! (Psalm 19:12-13).

So I need to rejoice in the Lord, obey His law, and ask Him to help me stay pure and blameless.

But above all, I ask this:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14

Go, read Psalm 19, and find Joy in the creation of God, the law of the Lord, and having the light shown on your hidden faults.