Dave’s Monday Blast – May 31, 2021
Happy Memorial Day. Our appreciation, gratitude, and prayers go out to those who have given so much to protect the freedoms, privileges and rights we all enjoy as Americans. To that end, I jump back into the topic we introduced last week on living JOYFULLY.
We were reminded that joy is different from happiness. Happiness comes from good fortune, joy comes from a different source – an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. The prophet Nehemiah declared in 8:10 the “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Do you feel weak and overwhelmed by life today? Are your circumstances stealing your joy? The Word tells us to look to the Lord. He is the source of all joy.
King David says of the Lord in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Friends, these are not subjective experiences we hope for, but objective realities to be found in relationship with the Lord. Notice the phrase “fullness of joy.” This is joy found in abundance. It is joy to the full, it leaves no room for any more joy. Isn’t that a beautiful picture!
Furthermore, we are told in Philippians 3:1 – 9 that rejoicing in the Lord is a “safeguard.” From what? From false religions and systems of works-based righteousness. These pursuits are joy robbers as they offer no ultimate assurance of salvation and we can never measure up. Paul says real spiritual joy is ONLY found through faith in Jesus Christ.
Are you looking today for something more than mere happiness? If so, trust in the Lord. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). Like the phrase “fullness of joy”, the phrase “abounding in hope” simply means you have so much hope that there is no more to receive. You are the opposite of hopeless. That’s good isn’t it!
