ENJOYMENT

Just A Thought Or Two About – ENJOYMENT.

There are many expressions about time and aging. Some indicate that “time seems to fly.” Others express: “It’s later than you think.” A secular song from years ago contained the lyric: “Enjoy yourself; It’s later than you think! Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink. The years go by as quickly as a wink – Enjoy yourself…it’s later than you think.” This lyric conjures up all kinds of possibilities for the secular minded person. It usually leads one into pleasure-seeking as a fulfillment factor for their life and whatever enjoyment they can momentarily experience.

In his Answers column, Billy Graham was asked about pleasure and sin. He replied:  “The Bible declares that there can be pleasure in sin. We know this from our own experience. But the Bible also says that sin’s pleasure is only for a season (Hebrews 11:25). Then it’s over, leaving us bitter, and finally destroying us. A day of reckoning always comes. The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).”

The spiritual factor the Biblical Christian should consider is manifold. Psalm 100:2 (ESV) states one should: “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” Some translations interchange “worship” with/for the word “serve.” After the completion of building the wall and Ezra had read the Law to the people, they were grieving and weeping about their neglect of a God who loved them. Nehemiah 8:9-11 encouraged the people with these words; ”Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 

The JOY of the Lord must be present. There is a Hymn written by Oswald J. Smith (1931) that expresses these various truths from God’s Word regarding JOY. “There is joy in serving Jesus As I journey on my way; Joy that fills my heart with praises Every hour and every day.” A subsequent stanza shares: “There is joy in serving Jesus, Joy amid the darkest night For I've learned the wondrous secret And I'm walking in the light.” The Refrain echoes this emphasis: “There is joy, joy, Joy in serving Jesus; Joy that throbs within my heart Every moment, every hour As I draw upon His power - There is joy, joy, Joy that never shall depart.”

What is The Source for continuous Joy? John 15:10-11, Jesus said 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.”

In your life and walk with the Lord, is the JOY of the Lord your source of strength?  With the gifts and abilities He has given you, are you serving the Lord with GLADNESS? Do you daily come into the Lord’s presence with SINGING? This is what He has instructed us to be and do. Why are we so often hesitant and reluctant to do it?

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me – and – ENJOY the Lord and Praise him while you have time and breath to do so.