"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
Do we know the joy of the Lord in our lives? I say joy, not happiness. So often we try to find happiness in the things of this world- in material things, in relationships, in our own pursuits. And often we can find it. But happiness is dependent on circumstances; I'm sure you would agree with me that there are times in our lives when it is just so difficult to be happy. When nothing seems to be going right, when all avenues to happiness seem closed. In growing closer to the Lord, He will call us to give up things. Things that mean a lot to us. We will face trials and obstacles because of our faith; for some, we may face disapproval. The Christian walk is often filled with hardships and sorrows. Not a single Biblical hero had an easy life, from Abraham and Moses all the way to Jesus Himself.
The thing is, Jesus never said that we would be happy all the time, but He promised something better. "...in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Paul echoes, "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." 2 Cor. 6:10.
We may not be happy all the time, but we can have His joy all the time. And note the words of the Psalm- "fulness of joy". Because joy in the Lord does not rest in circumstances; it rests in knowing the greatness and depth of God's love for us, and knowing that nothing can ever break that love. It rests in knowing that no matter how bad the situation may seem, Jesus has "overcome the world", and all things work for good to those who love God. It rests in being at the centre of God's will, and seeing His marvellous plans unfold in our lives. It rests in being able to help others in need, in bringing joy to others who need it. "...as poor, yet making many rich.." Indeed, even if we have nothing else in this world, the joy of the Lord would still be there, and in Jesus we have everything we would ever need. "...as having nothing, and yet possessing all things..." And isn't that a much greater, stronger thing than temporal happiness?
I myself often struggle to take joy in the Lord and His will, when all other things that I love are stripped away. Yet our gracious Lord is teaching me more and more how to rejoice in Him, and it is truly wonderful. If we don't have God's joy in our lives, then we are missing out on a very important part of the Christian walk. As Jesus said,
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11.
Make the choice this day, to rejoice in the Lord. And ask Him to teach you how to.
Do we know the joy of the Lord in our lives? I say joy, not happiness. So often we try to find happiness in the things of this world- in material things, in relationships, in our own pursuits. And often we can find it. But happiness is dependent on circumstances; I'm sure you would agree with me that there are times in our lives when it is just so difficult to be happy. When nothing seems to be going right, when all avenues to happiness seem closed. In growing closer to the Lord, He will call us to give up things. Things that mean a lot to us. We will face trials and obstacles because of our faith; for some, we may face disapproval. The Christian walk is often filled with hardships and sorrows. Not a single Biblical hero had an easy life, from Abraham and Moses all the way to Jesus Himself.
The thing is, Jesus never said that we would be happy all the time, but He promised something better. "...in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Paul echoes, "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." 2 Cor. 6:10.
We may not be happy all the time, but we can have His joy all the time. And note the words of the Psalm- "fulness of joy". Because joy in the Lord does not rest in circumstances; it rests in knowing the greatness and depth of God's love for us, and knowing that nothing can ever break that love. It rests in knowing that no matter how bad the situation may seem, Jesus has "overcome the world", and all things work for good to those who love God. It rests in being at the centre of God's will, and seeing His marvellous plans unfold in our lives. It rests in being able to help others in need, in bringing joy to others who need it. "...as poor, yet making many rich.." Indeed, even if we have nothing else in this world, the joy of the Lord would still be there, and in Jesus we have everything we would ever need. "...as having nothing, and yet possessing all things..." And isn't that a much greater, stronger thing than temporal happiness?
I myself often struggle to take joy in the Lord and His will, when all other things that I love are stripped away. Yet our gracious Lord is teaching me more and more how to rejoice in Him, and it is truly wonderful. If we don't have God's joy in our lives, then we are missing out on a very important part of the Christian walk. As Jesus said,
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11.
Make the choice this day, to rejoice in the Lord. And ask Him to teach you how to.
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