SEP 29

Proverbs 29:18
Memorise Psalm 16:11
“in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”

Sometimes in order to convince ourselves that some endeavour is worthy for us to undertake, we must be convinced that it is something truly beneficial to ourselves. So we ask, what benefits can be had if I do sincerely obey?

The promise we have from the Word of God is simple, short and sweet, but full of meaning. Proverbs 29:18 tells us that where there is no vision, meaning no law and prophecy, then the people perish. We need God’s word in our lives in order to guide us in our life’s journey. For us we have the whole Bible, the Old and the New Testament to be our vision, to teach us how we can be saved, and what we should do to obey God. If we do have this law in our hands, and keep them, the simple promise is “happy is he”. That is it – we are guaranteed happiness!

But what sort of happiness you may ask? Definitely it is not the happiness that the world seeks after, in their temporal pleasures and their superficial thrills. This happiness is one that comes from a pleasure of a relationship with our God, our Creator and our Saviour. Jesus told His disciples the same thing in John 13:17, that “if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them”. He was teaching them the same principles of humility and obedience, and the joys that would come if they were to obey. This is the same ‘joy unspeakable’ that Peter spoke of in 1 Peter 1:7-8, that if we go through the trials of life well, if we obey God and are ‘found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ’, we can even right now, ‘rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory’. Such pure and true joy, can be experienced even in the midst of the most difficult and trying circumstances, for we know that we are in the pleasure of God, and not under His wrath.

Thus we realise that it is a cyclical thing. As we obey His Word, we would have a relationship with Him and have joy and gladness in our lives. Yet the only way in which we would be able to obey is when we pray, read His Word, and grow in our fellowship with Him. We have to start somewhere. If you haven’t already, you must start developing a relationship with God today, and begin reaping the benefits of joy unspeakable!

Thought: The happiness of having a relationship with God is one that far surpasses any joys that the sin of this world can offer.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the true joy that comes from a closer walk with Thee.