(Photo Credit: Angela Granger)
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. – Colossians 1:9-12
Our joy withers away when we don’t serve the Lord. Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Can we find happiness on our own in life? Yes, sometimes we can. Those times are a gift from God as well, in spite of our own stubbornness. I tried to find my own enjoyment in life, and failed. Read through the Book of Ecclesiastes, and you will see that King Solomon tried everything.
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
How do we find true joy? Turn to Jesus Christ. Walk worthy of the Lord, please Him, be fruitful in good works by serving Him, and increase in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10). Be strengthened by the Holy Spirit! His power is glorious! Then we can have joy, even while we go through trials with patience (Colossians 1:11). Finally, remember that after we were born again we gained an amazing inheritance and became the Lord’s “saints in light” (Colossians 1:12)! Don’t throw away that wonderful inheritance. Live in it, and find joy in the Lord again!
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, I need joy in me again. I can find momentary happiness, but true joy comes from You. I ask You to strengthen me through the joy You give. Help me to find joy in knowing You! Fill me with Your love, and surround me with Your Presence. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen!
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