T H E O P H I L U S

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

– Psalm 34:1-7

Have you ever enjoyed something so much, you wanted to do it again and again?

I recall the very first time I had the opportunity to ride in my cousin’s 1984 Buick Grand National. Lets just say it was a very, very powerful car. I was only 10 years old at the time I sat in those deep bucket seats that swallowed my tiny torso. It was possibly one of the most thrilling car rides I had ever experienced. For those of you who could care less about cars, the reason for my thrill was that it was extremely, extremely fast and and as a kid, I enjoyed every last second of it. I wanted to experience that adrenaline rush over, and over again and would ask my cousin to “do it again!”, over, and over… until the cops showed up.

Although highly entertaining in that moment, what I experienced that day in comparison to eternity, is only but a cheap thrill and a temporary sense of joy that could never compare to what I would experience later on in my life… meeting Jesus Christ.

A question that we may want to be honest with ourselves about today is, what have I tried to find my joy and happiness in lately? We often find ourselves in predicaments and problems because we are either not receiving that happiness or feel unfulfilled in the joy we so desire in our workplaces, school, marriages, family, and even friendships. The truth is that there is nobody in this world that will be able to give us the eternal sense of joy and happiness that we so desire. That in itself could be one of the greatest burdens anyone could carry.

In the midst of persecution and possible death hinging around the corner, David writes this Psalm: “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” David does one thing that we can be inspired to do when we too face times of difficulty, distress, or dissatisfaction with life. To enjoy God, and to know that all our joy can become sufficient in just knowing Him and his love for us. 

What more could be enjoyable than knowing God, and being in His presence daily? There is nothing in this life that could bring us satisfaction more than knowing that He is a God who loves us the way he does – enough that he died on the cross in order to save us; that no matter our issues he loves us unconditionally and would never let us go.

Today, when life seems bland, broken, dissatisfying, or even frustrating, instead may your heart and mind recall the utmost joy that is in Christ, and in Christ alone. May you find joy in the knowledge of Him today, and may you enjoy him forever.

One Year Bible (www.oneyearbibleonline.com):

Genesis 42:18-43:34
Matthew 13:47-14:12
Psalm 18:16-36
Proverbs 4:7-10