First, righteousness is joyful, because we have a rewarding God. Vs3, "But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!" The fruit of the Spirit is joy - in this life, and in the world to come.

There's joy because we're victorious, and in fellowship with God. We're joyful to conquer sin, and joy comes from walking with him in peace. Let nothing disturb this joy. Better to have idols torn from your heart, than to live less joyfully in a barren land of separation. Don't fall for the trap that joy's in disobedience and sin: It's walking with your Maker that brings you peace.

War against lesser joys, for the greater. Christ endured the cross for coming joy. Hebrews 12:2, "keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne." Sometimes, we fight with temptations, resisting sin, so we can have th joy of his presence. Worldliness creeps in, but love of joy casts it out, as we run to our Savior. We want the highest purest joy this world can't give, where there's no guilt and shame. We come seeking relief, and find sweet peace. Not only is fear gone, but praise erupts. Not only is sin subdued by confession, but it's replaced with the God given pleasures of obedience.

Seek your joy, child of God. Seek him, and give him your heart. You live wisely.

Secondly, the rebellious, however, don't get joy. They get the lusts of the flesh, and the temporary pleasures of sin. Vs6, "God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."

Their blessings are cursed with death, rather than increased into eternity. They suffer forever, because they lived without Christ on earth. They'll never know peace, nor God. Isaiah 57:21, "There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked."

It's tragic, but worldlings love the world. They live for it, and crave it. Their religion promises things that can be seen, rather than the beautiful things that cannot. Their God is their belly. Like Esau they crave temporary pleasure over lasting peace, and rebellion instead of righteousness. They meet God in judgement, only to be banished from his presence, and to hear the awful words, "Depart from me, you workers of iniquity. I never knew you [Matt 7:23]."

Now, they're filled with depression and confusion. Their life is meaningless.

Oh, sinner, why not turn? Give up your life to Jesus. Let him rule it. He'll do better than you, and lasting peace will comfort you. Give up self dominion, and self righteousness. Choose faith. Live under the blood of atonement, and the power of the Spirit. Walk uprightly with God, and lead others to him. Nothing else will satisfy. Your children will age out. Every other pleasure will leave you, except that which is eternal. Choose the best for yourself.

Thirdly, God's a generous giver to sinners. Vs18, "You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there." This is his extraordinary character. It's beyond comprehension - that sinners are given gifts to serve him, so that God may dwell in our midst.

This is the meaning and purpose of life. We get grace, so God can use us to reach others. He dwells is our midst, so we see his goodness, and serve others. God is generous, and he makes us the same way. Ephesians 4:16, "from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

This is a church: every member is involved in the welfare of others, so we build each other up in love, and it's wonderful.

God in our midst meets our needs, and satisfies our soul. He's a Father to the fatherless, and the helper of widows [Ps 68:5]. He gives strength and refreshment. Oh, the goodness of God! Let it be our song of praise. Vs4, "Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him!" Let him arise abundantly over us, and scatter the foes of doubt and fear. Let us enjoy his presence!