Joy in her heart

When was the last time you had real joy?  Solomon speaks of joy in the midst of his "all is vanity" diatribe in Ecclesiastes.  While the wisest king that ever lived (save for Christ) repeatedly complains of "striving after wind", he occasionally pops in a joy verse.  We do well to pay attention to these.


Here is what Solomon considers important and necessary:  Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God.  For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.  (5:18-20)


Our days are fleeting, that much is certain.  God gives us the power by the Holy Spirit to be content ("accept his lot") and to rejoice in the work He has given us.  And then, glory of glories, God keeps us occupied with joy in our hearts.   Wouldn't you love to be occupied by joy?  


I'll tell you when I have joy.  When I am free from worry over loved ones and stress over my ever-lovin' to-do list.  And how am I free from those things?  By making the eternal God my dwelling place and resting in His everlasting arms (see Deuteronomy 33:27).  By trusting in the Lord with all my heart, and not leaning on my own understanding of things, which is usually faulty (see Proverbs 3:5).  By growing in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (see 2 Peter 3:18) through the study of His Word and fellowship with others.  


Oh, how I'd love to be occupied 24/7 with joy in my heart.  What a relief that would be.  And one day will be, praise God.  For now, I amble on, learning to trust and lean and rest.  And occasionally, as I fix my eyes (see Hebrews 12:1,2), God does keep me occupied with joy.