ROMANS 11:36 – For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
THEME OF THE DAY. LIVING A LIFE OF JOY. Every believer wants it. Every Christian yearns for it. Every child of God has the potential to have it. It is what Jesus promises and provides – a life of joy. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). Yet, why do we seem to have joy not overflowing and consistent, but ebbing and flowing? Why do we too often find ourselves joyless and being downcast over life’s circumstances instead of being strengthened by the joy of the Lord and living above life’s circumstances? There are multiple reasons for this epidemic of joylessness among Christians, but one that is perhaps the chief is implied in today’s scripture. It concerns the glory of the Lord. If His glory is not the end of all we do and all we are, we cannot expect His joy to dwell within us abundantly or flow from us effectively. Let’s explore some rationale about this truth.
First, all things and all people exist for God’s glory – For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. I would expect everyone reading this nugget proclaims this truth. We believe this truth. The question becomes one of, “Do we live this truth?” Don’t gloss over the question but ponder the question and its applications. Do you parent your children for the glory of God? Do you work on your marriage for the glory of God? Do you give your all in your vocation for the glory of God? Do you serve in your church for the glory of God? Do you cultivate relationships with sinners and saints alike for the glory of God? This question has far-reaching implications for our joy. If all things, to include people, exist for the glory of God, then our interaction and handling of all things and people must be for the glory of God. If not, if we reduce living for the glory of God to just “spiritual things” like church, we will not walk in His joy. The glory of God must encompass all things in our lives if His joy is to characterize our lives.
Another truth about the glory of God that is essential to our joy is there can be no seeking our glory in anything. God has told us, “For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another “(Isaiah 48:11). Our God is a jealous God; jealous in a good way – a way that draws attention to Himself alone. Nothing will steal away our joy quicker than seeking recognition, applause, and affirmation from people for anything we do for the Lord. For that matter, in anything we do in life. To seek such glory is one of the highest expressions of sinful self-love and selfishness guaranteeing a lack of joy. It is pride and God resists the proud (1 Peter 5:5). Unless God’s glory is the end of all we do in His service, we may get a lot done, but it will be joyless ministry.
A life of joy. It is ours to have and live. Jesus died and rose to give it to us. How we understand and live out the glory of God will determine the level of joy we enjoy.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to see my greatest joy is living entirely for Your glory, not my sinful pleasure.”
QUOTE: “Until the glory of God is the consuming desire in our hearts in all things, a life of deep joy will be elusive”