10th July 2023

Enduring Joy

May the God of hope fill you with all joy.

Romans 15:13

The more knowledge we acquire, the less wisdom we seem to have. The more economic security we gain, the more boredom we generate. The more worldly pleasure we enjoy, the less satisfied and contented we are with life. We are like a restless sea, finding a little peace here and a little pleasure there, but nothing permanent and satisfying. So the search continues! Men will kill, lie, cheat, and steal to satisfy their quest for power, pleasure, and wealth in hopes to gain peace, security, and happiness.

Yet inside each of us, is a little voice that keeps saying, “We were not meant to be this way, we were meant for better things.” We have a mysterious feeling that there is a fountain somewhere that contains the happiness that makes life worthwhile. We keep saying to ourselves that somewhere, sometime, we will stumble onto the secret. Sometimes we feel that we have obtained it, only to find it elusive, and it is gone, leaving us disillusioned, bewildered, and unhappy.

The happiness that brings enduring worth to life is not the superficial happiness that is dependent on circumstances. It’s contentment that fills the soul even in the midst of the most distressing of circumstances and the most adverse environment. The only source of peace and contentment is in the Lord Jesus, just as the Bible says: “For with You [O Lord] is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9).

You may notice the Bible often uses the word joy instead of happiness. Finding the word happiness in the Bible is not easy. And that is because the Bible is not interested in making people happy. Instead, the Bible focuses on joy. Joy is something we all need.

People need not live with a spirit of doom; Jesus provides the only ray of hope that shines as an ever-brightening beam in a darkened world. Jesus is the only One who can give true enduring joy

Bible Reading

Romans 15:7-13.

Prayer

Father God, I am thankful that true joy is found in You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.