FULLNESS OF JOYSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: Beholding God’s fullness of joy alone makes the difference. The joy offered by the Lord is entirely different from that which the world gives. The joy derived from the world is transient by nature. ‘That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?’ (Job 20:5). ‘The hope of the hypocrite shall perish’ (Job 8:13). It appears and vanishes.
There lived a jeweler in Sri Lanka who used to attend church regularly along with his family members. His friends one day said, “Hey man! The best diamonds are traded in the markets only on Sundays and you are sitting in the church at that time. You are missing a major profit in your business.” So the jeweler thought, “Let me go this Sunday to my shop and see whether any thing as told by my friends really happens or not.” Accordingly he went to the shop and one of the best biggest, distinctly dazzling diamond came to be traded that day and his joy knew no bounds. He thought, “Good that I did not go to church today. Otherwise I would have missed out on this wonderful piece. I am going to be the richest person on this earth.” He negotiated it for a price and sold all the other diamonds that he had and bought this new diamond that many coveted. After receiving the sum of money from him, the man who sold it put a revolver right up on his head and threatened him to give back the newly purchased diamond. Having taken it by force, he left the place in haste and his whereabouts were unknown after that. It was a moment of indescribable joy but misery forever. Such is the joy that the world gives.
‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away’ (Isaiah 35:10). The joy that the Lord gives is an everlasting joy that is put upon your forehead.
‘Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God’ (Psalm 43:4) God is the reservoir and embodiment of exceedingly great joy.
In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalms 16:11). Just enter into the presence of the Lord and there is fullness of joy. Therefore, Paul the apostle says, ‘Rejoice always’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Trials, tribulations, sicknesses, misunderstandings and all sorts of problems will be there but amidst all these things you will have the fullness of joy when you have the presence of the Lord.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). You will conquer this world with the joy that God gives you.
Once I returned home from the Prayer Tower after having prayed for nearly one thousand families. On the way, I had a splitting headache so much so that I wished to have my food as soon as possible and take rest for a little while. While I sat at the dining table, my youngest daughter - Sweety who is always filled with the fullness of joy came and sat on top of the dining table. Unaware of my physical state she toppled a tumbler full of water on me. Though I should not be doing what I did, yet I gave her a spanking. Managing to dry myself, I told my wife, “Honey! I have a splitting headache.” Sweety despite having been chastised by me just a couple of minutes ago, stood by my side and put a pill that mitigates headache in my mouth and gave me a glass of water. I hugged and kissed her and cried out, “Lord! Give me such a nature as that of my daughter’s”
My daughter is so full of joy that nothing ruffles her and therefore she is able to show love. God wants His children to have this fullness of joy. Beholding this fullness of joy alone makes the difference between those who know and do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. God desires to give you this fullness of joy to you today. Just say, “Lord I want You in me totally this day.”
Prayer
Loving Lord
Whenever there is a raging storm surrounding my ship, help me to always remember that the Captain of my ship – You are always with me. Enable me to unruffled in such situations and fill me with the fullness of joy that I may reflect your love and concern to others even in such adverse conditions. Fill me with Your divine joy today and prosper all my efforts. May I live only to sing praises of Your holy name.
Amen |