Christ the Center of our Joy

“For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy.” Ecclesiastes 2:26a (KJV)
 
Have you recently given any consideration to what brings you joy or more complete joy? Perhaps this question makes you think of a new spouse, the birth of a child, acceptance into the college of your dreams, a job promotion, an astronomical amount of money that was not anticipated; the list is inexhaustible. Every genuine believer that has been gripped by God’s goodness and grace, however, knows the place of Jesus’s joy in our hearts!! Furthermore, the echo chamber of evangelical deduction decidedly declares the Lord Jesus’s gift of salvation gives us joy down deep in our souls. He is indeed the center of our joy!
 
Dr. Richard Smallwood’s song titled Jesus You’re the Center of My Joy completely captures the concept of the source of our joy. This is the joy that Jesus offers, the joy that conquers calamity, confusion, and crippling emotions as well as the contempt, craziness and coldness from an antichrist culture!
 
Jesus, you're the center of my joy 
All that's good and perfect comes from you 
You're the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do 
Jesus, you're the center of my joy
When I've lost my direction, You're the compass for my way
You're the fire and light when nights are long and cold
In sadness, You are the laughter, that shatters all my fears
When I'm all alone, Your hand is there to hold, oh
Jesus, You're the center of my joy
All that's good and perfect comes from You
You're the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do
Jesus, You're the center of my joy!
 
What do the Scriptures say?
“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.” Psalms 5:11 (KJV, emphasis mine) 
 
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11 (KJV, emphasis mine)
 
“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11 (KJV, emphasis mine)
 
In closing consider this: The joy that our Lord Jesus possesses is our possession that has been purchased by His life and powered by His Spirit ! That is why I absolutely believe that:
Just
Only
You (Jesus) can blanket us with the most beautiful and blessed joy!

Not a Sermon But a Thought,

PBKSR