SCRIPTURES: Psalms 43:4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto GOD MY EXCEEDING JOY [EL SIMCHAH GIYL]: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.  

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for THE JOY OF THE LORD is your strength.

THOUGHT: In this short Psalm (Psalm 43:1-5) David is crying out to God because of the persecution he is experiencing (Psalms 43:1). Because of the present trial and its distress, he feels alone but has determined to trust in God as his Strength (Psalms 43:2). So he cries out to God to be lead back to the tabernacle by His Light and by His Truth, so that He may worship Him there (Psalms 43:3-4). He desires to come into the earthly place of the presence of the One he calls his “EXCEEDING JOY” (verse 4). You will find that whatever you are going through that all is well in the presence of God. 

SIMCHAH and GIYL are two words that are individually translated in the Scriptures as ‘joy’, ‘rejoicing’ and/or ‘gladness’. When put together like this it is translated as an intensive, (i.e. giving force or emphasis), as in MY EXCEEDING JOY. In the midst of David’s trial and what some see as a deep depression, his resolve is to turn to God, to trust God, to worship God, and to lean on THE JOY OF THE LORD as his strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Happiness is based on circumstances or what is happening in your life. Just like David, you may not be happy with your circumstances, but you can be full of the JOY OF THE LORD anyhow. Come into His presence right now and make Him YOUR EXCEEDING JOY.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father and MY EXCEEDING JOY: I thank You that You are truly MY EXCEEDING JOY. I am not happy about some things but You are faithful and in Your presence there are times of refreshing and joy. I submit and surrender to the peace and joy of Your presence. In Jesus Name, AMEN! 

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:  Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the TIMES OF REFRESHING shall come FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD;