“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You” (Psalm 5:11).
Our world is one of pleasure seeking! Bigger and better seems to be the pursuit of many in our society who are seeking for happiness. “If only I had more money, then I’d be happy.” “If only I had a bigger and better home, then I’d be happy.” “If only I had this, that, or the other thing, then I’d be happy.” So often people look to things to bring them happiness, but things are only temporary and have no ability to bring lasting happiness. The newest and best things this world has to offer will one day find their way to a garage sale, the Good Will, or the junk heap!
Ever since the fall of Adam, men and women have constantly sought for earthly possessions to give them happiness. However, we ought to learn a lesson from Solomon who tried an abundance of wine, women, song, and a hundred other things looking for happiness. He wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:10: “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor.” But in the end he wrote the following words: Ecclesiastes 2:17: “Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.” And again in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11: “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them; so what profit have the owners except to see them with their eyes?” Solomon concluded by saying: “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 12:8). He realized that everything he worked hard to possess “grew” wings and took flight and his happiness was a passenger on that flight.
Sin provides temporary pleasure, but it steals lasting joy. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26). We also read King David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” David lost the joy of his salvation by seeking happiness on his own. The joy of the Lord had left his heart, and David desperately wanted God to restore that joy in His life. You see, true joy only comes from walking with God, obeying His commandments, and following His path for your life. No circumstance, possession, pursuit, or person can give you joy … true joy is a fruit of the Spirit of God. He ALONE is the source and provider of joy. If you truly want happiness and joy in your life, you can only find it by walking with God.
Do you have joy in your life? Joy doesn’t mean being happy at all times, but being content knowing that God is in control. Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Following fleshly desires brings temporary pleasure, but it leaves an absolutely joyless soul. Seek joy in Christ. Look to Him for the satisfying, soul-filling joy that a life lived for Him can bring. He alone can make you to know joy!