1 Chronicles 29:9 "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy."
We have seen a few passages on each of the subjects of hope and peace and now
this week we will be looking at the subject of joy. I'm sure there are
differing thoughts on this subject as we sometimes confuse happiness and joy.
In my thinking, I relate happiness with a feeling of the mind and joy should be
the state of our hearts. The word joy is mentioned 165 times in the Bible
whereas the word happy is found 28 times. I know the principle applies that a
matter is true even if it is only mentioned once in the Bible. But I also
believe the Lord stresses joy in our lives much more than happiness. There are
some things that make us happy, if only for a little while. But joy should
always be in our hearts no matter the situation that is happening around us.
I'm not trying to say it is something that is necessarily easy; but it is
accomplishable. Happiness is a fleeting thing and though joy can be lost (See
David in Psalm 51), it is attainable and restorable at all times. If my
searching is correct, the word is mentioned for the first time in 1 Samuel 18:6
after David had killed Goliath. That isn't to say there was no joy in the earth
until that time, but that is the first time it is actually mentioned. I find
that interesting.
When it was time, David began to gather materials to build the house of the
Lord. Although God refused David the privilege to actually build the temple, he
was allowed to bring the people in one heart and mind to provide the materials.
David brought the people together and spoke to them, "Moreover, because I
have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good,
of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above
all that I have prepared for the holy house." (1 Chronicles 29:3) God
moved the heart of David to give all this amount with great joy in knowing
there would be a beautiful place prepared for the people to worship God.
When the people saw David's delight, they opened their hearts to do
likewise. They rejoiced as they offered willingly with perfect (mature)
hearts unto the Lord. The groundwork that I lay today is this: True joy is
abundant in our hearts as we place ourselves in a position of service unto the
Lord and others. Perfect joy evades us when our minds are set upon receiving
rather than giving. "The people rejoiced for they offered willingly."
Isn't that a good way to search for true joy? We are told that God loves a
cheerful giver and it is better to give than receive. True joy! In this
season, I encourage you to watch the faces of those who receive your gifts and
take note of the joy that is in your heart at that same moment.