More Joyous than Wine

Psa 4:7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

It has been said that Christ in your heart is better than corn in the barn or wine in the vat. Oh how we strive to keep our belly's full and our life filled with drink in order to acquire peace and joy. Eat, drink, and be merry they say. As a culture we focus so much of our attention on being comfortable, happy, and filled with many worldly things that we sometimes forget about our time with God and the joy He brings us.

The psalmist declares that there is more joy that comes from having God in our heart than any material thing such as food and drink. Even when we have an abundance, the joy of the Lord is far more fulfilling.

So where is your joy coming from today? Here is a little test... Let's just say for a moment that a man came up to you and told you that one of your distant relatives died today and left you an inheritance of 10 million dollars. The only thing about it is that you are unable to get the check for two weeks. How would this change your life for the next two weeks? Would you act differently, respond to people in a different way, or even be filled with an abundance of joy? Well of course we would. Having an inheritance like that would bring me joy. It would solve many of my struggles, give me the freedom to do things I had never imagined were possible, and I know, that if managed properly, I would no longer have need in my life for material things. During that two week period of time I would probably think and dream about all the things I could do now that I was empowered with this kind of resource.

Ten million dollars is a great amount of money and with it many amazing things could be accomplished. What would life be like for you if you were told not only were you getting this sizable amount of money, but that you were inheriting the entire earth? Would your perspective change? Would you walk differently, talk differently, and do things without reservation? After all, you are gaining the entire world.

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

That's what happens when we give our life to Christ... we gain the entire inheritance promised to the descendants of Abraham. Abraham was promised by God that he would inherit the world. Is not the same promise assured to his heirs? As follower's of Christ we have an inheritance that is far greater than 10 million dollars and it comes from the Almighty God who has resources that stretch from one side of the universe to the other. So, with that kind of inheritance, how should we walk differently, talk differently, and what shall we do without reservation?

Is your joy in God greater than the joy that comes from earthy things. Knowing that we have all the resources God has promised through His word to get us through each day should bring out the fullness of joy described in psalms 4:7.

Lord, help me find my truest joy in you and not the things you have provided for me.