by Alex Marsh

There are many different sayings and cliches about happiness (happy as a clam, don’t worry, be happy, live everyday as if it were your last, etc), and many of them tell you that you can find happiness in all sorts of people and things. But what about joy? We always hear that happiness can be found in money, a relationship, even a certain place, but can we find joy too? Do these things produce joy? The surface level answer is no. Why? Happiness is temporary and is easily tainted, easily robbed, and easily forgotten, but joy lasts forever and is found in One person and in One alone, Jesus. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Philippians 4:4, esv

Paul gives us two instructions here: the first is that we are to ALWAYS rejoice. Not when we want to, not when we are going by the green pastures and still waters, but in the valley as well. This is a whole lot easier said than done, but when you do the second step, it’s much easier. The second step Paul gives here is to rejoice not in the world or other things, but in the Lord. We rejoice in the good news of what Jesus has done for us. This good news is not the diving board, rather it is the swimming pool that we should immerse ourselves in day and night. 

Let’s try this. Give thanks for one thing the Lord has done for you today, and pray to find the fruit of seeking joy in the Lord. Pray this with me:

Lord, I thank you today for ____________. I pray that I would find joy in you and in you alone. Lord you are all I need for everlasting joy, and I pray that you would remind me of the joy of the gospel. Thank you for all you do, thank you for the gospel, and thank you for free joy.