It seems everyone is looking for happiness and a life filled with joy. We expect life to be perfect. Advertising companies are well aware of this as they market their products. If you turn on the television you will notice every commercial promises the elated feeling of joy. Buy this...and you will find joy.
Our Sovereign God wants His children to live a life of joy. Just like parents want their own children to find happiness and fulfillment in life, God longs for His children to experience solid and unwavering joy.
The joy offered by God is different than the one promised on commercials. Everyone seeks for joy but who can sincerely offer it? God wants to place in His children deep hope, not shallow happiness. The joy the world gives cannot weather the most difficult of storms - this kind of joy must come from God above.
In the opening words of his epistle, Peter referred to this joy. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (I Peter 1:8-9 ).
Peter was speaking to God’s chosen people who were persecuted Christians that had been driven from their homes and separated from their families. All their rights had been stripped away and their property had been taken from them. In devastating times, your joy cannot be taken away. Joy rests solely in your personal relationship with Christ and Him alone. He is your Joy.
