The middle chapter of the Bible, Psalm 118, is a great expression of joy. As you read it, can't you just sense the psalmist bubbling and gushing? "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good", he says. And, "Oh let Israel say." He couldn't help but say something equal to our expression of "whoa" or "wow"!
Joy will do that to you.
The Psalmist goes on to say, "his loving kindness is everlasting" and "the Lord is for me; I will not fear". You and I can say the same. God's lovingkindness is everlasting and he is for us! In light of who God is, fear need not be a part of our thinking!
The thing we must see in scripture is the character of God. God is not selective in love and kindness. Because he is love, he is kindness.
We cannot comprehend the greatness of God. But, what we can know of him is so wonderful that it brings joy. The reason the Psalmist could say, "in thy presence is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11) is that the magnificence of who God is creates real joy. The good news is that everyone can know this joy, not because of what we do but because of who God is.
Want joy? Live your life in the presence of God because God is so wonderful. It would be silly to command someone to be joyful. So, instead, I want to invite you to a place where you will experience great joy. That is walking with the Creator of all that is.
Better than looking for the next thing that can give temporary stimulation, let's pursue with passion Almighty God. He is forever the same. He has always been and will forever be good. He even calls us to have a deep meaningful relationship with himself. There is fleeting pleasure in things but they are only temporary and cannot compare to the magnitude of joy when the creature is friends with its Creator.
Imagine the incredible joy you and I will have learning about experiencing friendship with God who created a billion times a billion worlds. Who know what he is up to even now?
Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2b). Can you imagine the Creator still continues to create, just for you and me, His children. He is truly beyond all words. He is truly the God who is our joy!
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