JANUARY 22
Psalm 16:11, “In your presence there is fullness of joy.”
In pursuing joy, it’s imperative to have one’s heart-compass set in the right direction. All pursue happiness, but most struggle to find it. Happiness is an earthly commodity, lost or found by circumstance, but joy is a heavenly treasure, impossible to steal.
The psalmist had his heart set in the right place. He witnessed the disappointment of those who ran after other gods (Psalm 16:4). But the Lord was his chosen portion, and in the Lord, he enjoyed both security and blessings.
These words of Peter, to persecuted believers, have long challenged me: “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). A “joy that is inexpressible and full of glory” can be possessed independent of one’s circumstances. Peter did not say that they should rejoice like that, but that they did. That reminds me that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, etc. A fountainhead of Spirit-birthed joy lies in the heart of every believer (John 7:37-39). To the extent we are living under the influence of the Spirit, walking close to Jesus, we experience the inexpressible joy that is already ours in Him.
One day, when you pass from this life to the next, you will enter into God’s presence to experience a fulness of uninterrupted and unimaginable joy. That heavenly joy is even now Spirit-imparted to those who draw near to God.
The treasure map to an inexpressible joy leads to a nearness to the God who alone can impart it.
Application Questions: Do you consider yourself to be a joyful Christian? How much of your time and energy do you devote to experiencing happiness through circumstances? Considering that nearness to God brings fullness of joy, what changes must you make in your pursuit of Him?
LookingtoJesus 