Where Does Our Joy Come From?

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

What brings joy to our lives? Is it times of prosperity, times of plenty? Do we only rejoice when troubling times are kept at bay? Where does our joy come from? The fact of the matter is that life can be, and feel, very unstable and uncertain. Difficult circumstances can show up at any moment and catch us by surprise. However, there is one thing that is constant and never changes...that is, who God is in our lives. Habakkuk knew what was coming for Israel. Yet, he did not rejoice in prosperity, and all that was temporary. Instead, he rejoiced in, and found joy in, the Lord. All that we have can perish in the blink of an eye. If we are finding joy only in times of plenty, and in times when there are no trials or tragedies, then not only will our joy be fleeting, but our faith is weak. The greatest test of our faith comes when all that is good seems to slip through our hands. They say that if we truly want to know what we are made of, we only really find out when the bottom falls out of life. That is when we find out if our faith is in God, or our material things and our own ability to handle life. If we are leaning on anything or anyone, other than God, then our rejoicing will always be temporary and unstable. If we want lasting joy and the ability to always rejoice, regardless of what our life looks like or what society and the world look like, then we must have enough faith to rejoice in the Lord and Him alone.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).