A few weeks ago we celebrated Easter. I don't know when it started, but in Canada it has become common to greet people on Easter Sunday with "Happy Easter" in the same way that on December 25 we say "Merry Christmas." I've never liked this "Happy Easter" greeting. (I prefer Joyful Easter or Christ is Risen.) It seems so in contrast to the biblical message that followers of Jesus may experience many days of unhappiness as they are disciplined toward holiness and/or persecuted because they follow Jesus. We may or may not experience happiness but we are guaranteed joy if we live daily with Christ. Joy now and joy in the future because we have a Risen Saviour. Do you remember how Paul ties our joy directly to our Lord and repeats himself:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
I was reminded of this today as I read Psalm 16. The psalms often include words of dismay, discouragement or questioning. However in this psalm the writer seems to be in a very good place emotionally, spiritually and perhaps even physically. He is thanking God that all is well in his life. At the end of the psalm he makes an affirmation that we all can make, whether things right now are really good and you are happy; or if things right now for you are painful, difficult and making you sad.
We know the One who is the Way, Truth and Life. In Christ we find real joy and only God knows how much pure pleasure lies beyond death for those who are His children. So rejoice!
"You reveal the path of life to me;
in Your presence is abundant joy;
in Your right hand are eternal pleasures." Psalm 16:11
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