Joy is at the heart of true worship. It’s remarkable that the Hebrew Bible uses at least thirteen distinct Hebrew root words to express joy in worship. Exuberant delight, gladness, joy and exultation spring from a right relationship between God and His people. It is as if there are not enough words to express the fullness of joyful worship!

Joy is at the heart of true humanity. It’s by design. God created mankind for joyful relationship as the Westminster Catechism makes clear, that man’ s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever. Joy permeates the entire Bible.

Would it surprise you that modern neurobiology reflects this design and relationship? One researcher and author, Allan Schore, maintains that joy is essential for developing stable mental health. He defines joy relationally as “someone who is glad to be with me” and “being the sparkle in someone’s eye.” (quoted in The Other Half of Church, Wilder and Hendricks). The people in Ezra’s day understood this well.

Worship in God’s presence is tangibly, visually pictured as rejoicing before the face of God!

Seventy years after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, the tangible symbol of God’s presence among His people stands rebuilt. It’s time for joyful celebration before His face. Ezra chapter 6 vividly describes that joy.

God takes delighted when we come together, face to face, seeking His face in worship. Join us this coming Sunday! See you then.

The Lord is Gracious!

Bob Landon

TREASURE SEEKERS

Will Daniel and his friends stay faithful to the one true God in a foreign land?  This week at ICFD, the kids look at chapter 2 of Daniel.

Please can Explorers kids bring their bibles?

The memory verse for the Daniel series is: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29a)

Sunday 18 August

Lesson Title: The Dream

Text: Daniel 2:1-49

Big Idea: Through Daniel, God taught Nebuchadnezzar that no human kingdom would be able to stand against God’s everlasting kingdom.

Aim: To teach that through Jesus, God will create an everlasting kingdom far greater and more powerful than any human kingdom.

ICFD Kids and Youth Ministry
“Every child knowing Christ’s love”