As I have shared in several past devotions the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the question and gives us the answer to this devotion title, when it says: What is the chief end of man? To which it answers: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Pastor John Piper echoes this thought and add the concept of passion in this pursuit when he says: “God created me—and you—to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion—namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.”1
I believe all of humanity is wired to know and enjoy God and until Jesus becomes the center of our very being there will always be a spiritual vacuum that can never be filled. You see God created us in His image to enjoy intimacy with Jesus. To put it another way the human heart was designed in such a way that only when we know and enjoy Jesus and live our lives to the glory of God can we find true purpose and satisfaction in life.
But sadly, when we examine the lives of many Christians they just don’t seem to be filled with Joy. I have often wondered why this is so. I have concluded that just knowing Jesus as Savior, while it will get you to heaven, is not enough to guarantee a rich full life of joy and satisfaction. Many Christians are stagnant in their relationship with Jesus, I believe, chiefly because they haven’t developed a passion for knowing, and making Him known to the world, just how amazing a God He really is. My friends when you are spending time in morning devotions, reading the Scriptures daily with a desire to hunt for its wonderful treasures, worshipping, praising, and thanking the Lord for who He is and how much He loves you, I believe you will develop a passionate love affair with Jesus. And when you are passionate about something you will begin to find deep satisfaction and joy in getting to know better the object or person of your pursuit. And when the object of your passion is Jesus you will strive, in the words of John Piper, “to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.”
Until we realize we were made to glorify God and enjoy Him forever; we will never gain the joy that cannot be obtained in any other way. If your Christian life is not what you think it ought to be may I challenge you to spend more time in the presence of Jesus, by reading His Word, in fervent prayer, in a dynamic quiet time, and in obeying His will. When you do these things Jesus will become more alive to you and He will fill your cup with joy. And the closer you get to Jesus you will find that intimacy with Him is the most delightful experience a human being can have. In closing I would like to leave you with one of the most exciting verses in all of Scripture. It was penned by King David and is worthy of memorization: “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11).
1John Piper – God created me—and you—to live with a single,… (bibleportal.com)
Thank you, Mr. Blattman for these words of truth and encouragement. The JOY of the Lord IS our strength. Nehemiah 8.10