Does all the world shout for joy? I read in Sixteen:nine that happiness depends on the earthly reality and that joy focuses on the transcendant. It is when my life is monotonous and purposeless that I drag my feet. When I don’t think I am appreciated at home, at work, at church I become heavy. Then I look beyond those around me to something no-one can take away. In Plato’s analogy, how do we escape the cave?
Psalm 100
- Who or what is to shout for joy?
- What is the attitude of worship the psalmist desires?
- What three things should we know?
- How are God’s love and faithfulness described?
- How would you describe your own thoughts about God?
Going Deeper
A Psalm of praise is different from a Psalm of lament. Try and write one.
- Start with a call to others to worship.
- Include good things that you think are true about God.
- Include words of celebration.
Example:
Let the nations praise God!
Let the peoples worship the Lord!
When I am exhausted and confused
In the midst of darkness and perplexity
Wisdom watches over me
His insight cheers me
Praise God whose wisdom knows no end
Worship him whose understanding can not be measured
Plymothian 
I’d like to focus this post on the opening line about happiness and joy (where happiness is earthly and joy is eternal).My assertion is that happiness is indeed earthy and earth-focused, and it is precisely because of its earthiness that it can be a pathway to joy, in two significant ways.1) Blessed are the… When we experience happiness, we are engaging God’s created world. This, as the sacraments, was always meant to be (and indeed, should be intentionally experienced as) a means of worship to God, couched in a holistically-worshiping lifestyle. Indeed, I say, along with some leading Eastern Orthodox thinkers of our day, all of life is meant to be a sacrament!2) When did we feed you? When we bring happiness to others in a God-driven attitude, in the form of justice, restoration, or just a well-prepared meal, we are engaging in serving the person of Jesus Christ in the person of our human neighbor. This is one of the places in life in which we find the most joy. God designed it that way.