God is the source of true joy

To the Editor:

Worldly joy is an external joy sought by man because man within himself is not all-sufficient to bring inward joy. He does not know where true and complete joy is found, So he seeks it from what is about him. Worldly joy is looked for in money, costly clothes, costly homes and furnishings, jobs, relationships, and education etc.

True joy comes from the LORD, it is generated by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers (Ps.4:7). This inward joy is by the grace of God through salvation purchased by the death of His Son for His chosen people. No one can manufacture this joy in himself. It is a joy from being reconciled to God (Isa.25:9; Jer.15:16).

With this joy from God no matter what comes our way in this world, heartache, sorrow, loss, etc, we always have the joy of the LORD within us (Heb.13:5) and it will be with us until the end (Matt.28:20). So when the cares of this world get us down we can “rejoice in the LORD always” (Phil.4:4). For He is our hope and our strength and He will sustain us forever (Rom.8:28; 2Cor.4:16).

Jim Batt

Mexico, Pa.