Since roughly 1/4 of the verses that reference joy or rejoicing in Scripture come from the Psalms, I have decided to use one of them every week. If I run out, I can move into Proverbs. Psalm 4:6b-8 seems like a good place to start:

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

I love reading the Psalms, probably because I’ve always loved poetry. And here the connection between joy and peace is so clear. When God’s joy fills our hearts, we have peaceful rest. It is in God that we have the peace that passes all understanding, the peace that gives us safety in the midst of turmoil, rest in the midst of chaos. And it is in the light of God’s presence that we experience abundant joy, joy that is greater than anything else. I pray that God’s peace and joy will rest on each of you.