Joyless Christians?
Too often, followers of Jesus approach life like God is a cosmic killjoy.
Yes, we are to be sober. The stakes are high. Our adversaries are many. And strong.
But joyless Christianity? Joyless followers of Jesus? May it never be!
Psalm 16 is a song about joy. Our joy. The joy that Jesus made possible for every one of God's children to have. Notice the phrasing toward the end of the Psalm. "My heart is glad." "My whole being rejoices." "In Your presence there is fullness of joy."
So, how do we get from joy-less to joy-full?
Look at the Psalm. And let's create 10 questions for ourselves.
1. Have I chosen the Lord Himself over the things of the earth? "The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot" (Psalm 16:5).
2. Am I grateful for the many blessings I have already received and am I looking forward to my ultimate inheritance in heaven? "The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance" (Psalm 16:6).
3. Am I seeking and receiving counsel from the Lord about what concerns me? "I bless the Lord who gives me counsel" (Psalm 16:7a).
4. Do I pray and meditate before I go to sleep so that God can speak to my heart at night? "In the night also my heart instructs me" (Psalm 16:7b).
5. Am I consciously seeking to keep my eyes on Jesus all day every day? "I have set the Lord always before me" (Psalm 16:8a).
6. Do I have confidence that the Lord will keep me sound and stable in spite of the turbulence of life? "Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken... My flesh also dwells secure" (Psalm 16:8b, 9b).
7. Do I see that the resurrection and ultimate victory of Jesus guarantees my own? "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption" (Psalm 16:10).
8. Do I seek the Lord's guidance for my next step on the path of life? "You make known to me the path of life" (Psalm 16:11a).
9. Do I live "Coram Deo" - in the presence and before the face of God? "In your presence there is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11b).
10. Do I see that all the pleasure of God ultimately comes from Jesus who is, even now, at the right hand of God Almighty? "At your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11c.)
Our level of joy will increase based on our answers to these questions.
So, take a little time today. Reflect on these questions. Ask yourself, "What changes do I need to make in order to be able to say 'yes' in answer to these questions?"
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