I love today’s Godfirmation! Psalm 16:11, a verse in a chapter written by David, reminds us that God should be the Source of our joy in life.
Spiritually, joy is a fruit of the Spirit that believers should possess (check Galatians 5:22-23). We should have joy not because of any special life circumstances or achievements, but because we have GOD. In fact, in spite of whatever is happening, we can still have joy knowing that God will still keep us through it all.
Joy is defined as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.” I dare say that the difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is often fleeting. However, as seen in this definition, having joy results from having something satisfying in life, something constant. Or really Someone.
Our emotions can be fickle. We can be happy one moment when something exciting or fun happens and then can be sad or mad in the next moment. But having joy is having this sense of triumph and peace that can truly only come from God who isn’t fickle at all. Consider how He has shown up for you before! Has He been a protector and a provider? Hasn’t He comforted and encouraged you in your down moments? Hasn’t He used the Holy Spirit to convict you and push you to do better as His child? And, above all, didn’t He come down in human form to save us all? That’s the God I know and the only One I put my hope and joy in.
In verse two of this same chapter, David writes, “I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from You, I have no good thing.” David, a man after God’s own heart, realizes that, even with any titles, riches, and achievements, if he doesn’t have God, it’s all for nothing.
God should ultimately be the source of our joy. Not things, not people. The steadfast, unchanging, loving God Who created us!
Imperfectly B 