In order to be growing in our relationship with God we need to be delighted in Him. The word “delight” implies that we should take pleasure in our relationship with God.
We should make our relationship with God the joy of our soul!
We should find delight in His goodness and in His character.
Trying to find joy in anything other than the Lord Jesus will only result in disappointment.
People have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not. Perhaps it would be easier to describe where joy cannot be found.
Where joy cannot be found
- In Unbelief—Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: “I wish I had never been born.”
- In Pleasure—Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: “The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone.”
- In Money—Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”
- In Position and Fame—Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: “Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.”
- In Military Glory—Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.”
Where is real joy found?
The answer is simple: In Christ alone.
Philippians 4:4 says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” The New Living Translation translates this verse as follows: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
Joyful people think differently. They don’t allow negative thoughts to occupy their minds. They’re not going to let the cares of the world still their joy.
Joyful people act differently. Their attitude is different – it is positive. Their behaviour is different – it is God honouring. Their speech is different – it us uplifting.
Joyful people react differently. They don’t respond harshly but encourage lovingly. They encourage not discourage. They build up, not tear down.
God wants us to find our delight in Him!
How are you finding your delight in your relationship with God?
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This post is part of a 4 part series on growing deeper in our relationship with God.
Part 1: Resolve to grow in your relationship with God this year
Part 2: Grow deeper in your relationship with God by being directed by Him.
Part 3: Grow deeper in your relationship with God by being delighted in Him.
Part 4: Grow deeper in your relationship with God by being dynamic for Him.
I believe that me must always try to live in joy and be happy in the love of God. No one can love us more than Almighty. Seeking his love will always keep us joyous. I think loving God the most is the key to happiness.
That is so true John!
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…4 steps to teach our children to make right choices
Another great article. During our time of financial challenges, supporting my husbands business, and still staying home to be a wife and mother, the tears sometimes whale up..like last night when our neighbors music was glaring at 12:00. We have been in situations where we made lots of money and now we have been in the complete oppposite. Thanks for sharing, trying to remind myself that JOY is in God and not in myself or our situation. I know he has bigger plans!
A lot of times we confuse happiness and joy. Happiness is dependent upon circumstances but joy is not. We can joy no matter our circumstances because it comes from God.
Thanks for sharing Brandy!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Divine delays and detours
Hello Kevin, I like to think that I try to spread kindness and happiness but this is something that I do for myself and for my fellow humans because it is the right thing to do. I personally do not align myself with any God, I think this is mainly because religion is at the route of most wars these days and I can’t align myself with that
Sadie-Michaela Harris recently posted…The Social Media Revolution 2011 in Action | How Times Change
I find joy in knowing that He is ALWAYS with me.
Amen Adam!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Surrender
One of my favorite songs, In Christ Alone, has just the right words for this comment. For instance:
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.
Joanne Norton recently posted…ISAIAH 54:2,13
I love that song! It definitely expresses the desires of my heart.
Thanks for sharing Joanne!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Looking back at 2011
Kevin, the sad truth is that I sometimes think that happiness and joy are found in some of the things you listed above. The key to countering that error in thinking is to maintain contact with God through prayer, Bible reading, and meditation. What pertinent reminders you provided!
Steve-Personal Success Factors recently posted…Live Your Best Life: Prepare For Greatness
I think a false joy and a false happiness can be found in the things I listed. It is not real though and it won’t last. As I said in the post “Trying to find joy in anything other than the Lord Jesus will only result in disappointment.” The point is that we can have joy in almost anything when it is grounded in our relationship with Christ.
Thanks for sharing Steve!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…4 ways to teach our kids to value integrity
Hi Kevin,
I also find Joy in knowing that all things, (the good, the bad and the ugly) work together for the good of those who love the LORD and are called according to His purpose.
I know that no matter what happens in my life, I can take “delight” and trust in the fact that God, the captain of my ship, has a plan that’s better than any plan I can think of. And I rejoice in the LORD that His plan will work out for my greater good!
Amen Jarrod! Great points!
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Missing opportunities