“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
Isaiah 41:17-18
“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” – Isaiah 41:17-18
Psalm 29:2
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” – Psalm 29:2
Hebrews 10:14
“For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:14
Isaiah 25:8-9
“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of the people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” – Isaiah 25:8-9
2 Corinthians 1:22
“… and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” – 2 Corinthians 1:22
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Romans 16:20a
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” – Romans 16:20a
Psalm 30:4-5
“Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” – Psalm 30:4-5
Mark 15:37-38
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” – Mark 15:37-38
1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 1:13