So beyond happiness ...

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth." Psalm 100:1

I knew a man who went through seminary and became a pastor, yet did not know Jesus Christ. One day as he was preparing his sermon, the Scripture text spoke life and truth into the deepest part of his soul and, all alone in his study, he shouted out, "Jesus, you're real!" Over his remaining years, that conviction grew ever deeper, as did his joy, and this man unabashedly spoke of his love for Jesus more than anyone I've ever known.

Joy and peace are joined at the hip. I think of joy as the delight and wonderment that accompany the peace and assurance we find in God's truth. Sometimes, it bubbles over, uncontained in outward expression. More often, it is a quiet confidence, an inner gladness, a complete contentment that fills us regardless of our situation.

In Psalm 100, David meditated on these simple truths: The Lord is God ... God made us ... we belong to him ... God provides for us and protects us ... we are invited into his presence ... God is good ... and God is faithful. In these assurances, David was effusive in gladness and delight: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth!"

Take time to breathe in these truths that speak peace, this peace that brings joy. They are life for the soul.

Happiness packs its bags when times get tough, but joy is a faithful companion even in our suffering. For joy is not rooted in our circumstances that change but in our God who does not.

"Jesus, you're real!" Amen, brother. 

Such peace. What joy!