“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”
– Psalm 4:7
Main Thought: We are reminded by David here that the source of real and true joy is our Lord. David points to what the worldly think will bring them satisfaction or joy, and that is the abundance of the things that they accumulate, in this case, grain and wine. But as we know from looking at the world around us and the history of mankind, what possessions or abundance a person has is never enough to bring lasting happiness and satisfaction. I am reminded of the words of Solomon, who possessed greater riches than any king of Israel’s history, but in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 he writes “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?” While the world does not understand the source of true satisfaction and joy, David points to the One who gives us joy and is the source of our joy. David credits God for giving him joy and causing him to continue with joy in his soul. In Psalm 16:11, David said that in God’s presence “there is fullness of joy” and in Psalm 43:4 he proclaimed that God is his “exceeding joy” As a child of God, we have been given joy in our souls by God that will last throughout our lives and into all eternity. It does not mean we will never feel sadness or pain, but we know the joy in our souls will never pass away because as God, the source of our joy is eternal, so is that joy. We can have every single earthly comfort taken away from us, but the world cannot take away our joy as a child of God. I am reminded of Paul and Silas, beaten with rods and having many blows inflicted upon them, then thrown into a Philippian jail, in the blackness of night and a prison cell breaking out in singing hymns to God (Acts 16). What was the source of their praises and singing? It was the joy of the Lord that caused their praises; our Lord, the source of eternal joy, was their possession and not the things of this world. This reassures us that we will have joy from praising God in every situation of life and the greater the burden, the more joy our God supplies us with. Do not look enviously upon those with more in this world, as if that gives them lasting joy. No, understand that the joy that God gives exceeds every joy of this world and it is a joy that will never end.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19