Joy And Happiness
In Your presence is fullness of joy.
Psalm 16:11
You may have noticed that the Bible often uses the word joy instead of happiness. Finding the word happiness in the Bible, is not easy. And there is a reason for that, it is because the Bible is not interested in making people happy. Instead, the Bible focuses on joy. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same.
Joy is more consistent and is cultivated internally. It comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are and how you are, whereas happiness tends to be externally triggered and is based on other people, things, places, thoughts, and events.
In the modern world, joy is something we experience that is deeper and more meaningful. Happiness is something we feel because of our situation or circumstances. We are happy because something made us happy, but we are joyful because of something within us. The world tells us that we can only be happy if our situation is right. But this is not true. Many people that have everything they could ever want are not happy. And, on the other hand, many people who have little in life, have a true joy that comes from deep within.
In the cross of Christ, we find God’s defining moment, when He not only removed the ultimate obstacle of our joy and secured for us a new heart of joy, but also when, in the very act of purchasing our joy, He became the most glorious object of our joy. Only in and through Christ can we say with the psalmist, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Bible Reading
Romans 5:1-4.
Prayer
Thank You, Father God, For the joy of salvation. In Jesus precious name. Amen.
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