I recently did a simple search of the bible on the two words “joy” and “God.” Here is an excerpt of the results:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! - Psalm 68:3
...yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. - Habakkuk 3:18
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. - Psalm 84:2
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. - Romans 14:7
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. - Jeremiah 15:16
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Romans 15:13
The bible makes the huge point throughout that our joy is made complete in God, and that in order to maximize the joy we all desire in our hearts, we need to be in pursuit of the only Being in the universe that can fulfill that joy. Jesus Christ came to save sinners and to grant to them the fullness of joy in God. He said this to His disciples:
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. - John 15:10-11
The old Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes this well:
Q1 What is Man’s chief end? A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. - Westminster Shorter Catechism
In light of the overwhelming witness of the Bible, perhaps you would join with me in the making the following resolution.
RESOLVED: To enjoy God as much as possible in the years to come!
As John Piper puts it: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! - Psalm 68:3
...yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. - Habakkuk 3:18
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. - Psalm 84:2
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. - Romans 14:7
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. - Jeremiah 15:16
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Romans 15:13
The bible makes the huge point throughout that our joy is made complete in God, and that in order to maximize the joy we all desire in our hearts, we need to be in pursuit of the only Being in the universe that can fulfill that joy. Jesus Christ came to save sinners and to grant to them the fullness of joy in God. He said this to His disciples:
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. - John 15:10-11
The old Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes this well:
Q1 What is Man’s chief end? A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. - Westminster Shorter Catechism
In light of the overwhelming witness of the Bible, perhaps you would join with me in the making the following resolution.
RESOLVED: To enjoy God as much as possible in the years to come!
As John Piper puts it: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
