Where does your joy come from?

(Originally posted 1/3/13. Just three months before our son Whitaker went to be with the Lord.)

Ps. 4:7 - "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound."

Where does your joy come from? Does it come from the superficial circumstances of life or from something more substantial? This week as you read Psalm 4 consider David's declaration in the closing verses valuing the joy of a growing relationship with God. As David sought to be close to God during a difficult time in his life, he compared the physical prosperity his antagonists were experiencing with the vibrant spiritual relationship he had with God (Ps. 4:6). After observing the differences, David said that the joy he received from being close to God was worth more than the material wealth his opponents valued.

Because David's joyful relationship with God did not rely on physical circumstances he was able to finish his Psalm with the comforting imagery of verse 8.

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

If David were describing you or I today, which group of people would he place us in? The group whose joy was connected to temporary prosperity, or in the group whose joy rested in personal relationships with our eternally good God? May we all come to find joy in our nearness to our Father through Jesus!

Jeremy Dehut

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What about your relationship with God makes you joyful? What temporary joys did you previously seek that you eventually found to be empty? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

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