EVERYDAY JOY
23rd Jun 2021
When I begin reading Ecclesiastes I always feel Solomon was having a bad day and am tempted to skip the whole book and move on to something more cheerful! However, as I read further I find the book is full of practical down to earth wisdom.
I am reading Ecclesiastes in my daily reading at the moment, and in chapter 8, Solomon is grumbling along, and then in verse 15 he declares, “So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.”
Joy is a quality that resides deep within us. Jesus was speaking to His disciples just before He went to the cross, He speaks of peace in John 14 and then in John 15:11 he says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Every day as we wake up we have the resource of joy within each of us. Joy is an element of the salvation we have received from Jesus, it is not subject to the circumstances, but dwells deep within. However, it is possible to let the circumstances of life overwhelm us and to rob us of that joy. It is always good to begin the day with thanksgiving and praise.
Isaiah 12:3 says, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: Praise the Lord.” There is a well of joy in every believer, you can draw from it every day, and it will change you. We are probably all familiar with the verse, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Everyday joy is the birthright of every Christian, don’t let circumstances or the devil rob you. Here is another piece of wisdom from Solomon, now he’s cheered up, it’s in chapter 9:7-8 in The Message, “Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, drink wine with a robust heart, Oh yes - God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don’t skimp on colours and scarves.”
by Charles Sibthorpe
