Joy in God: The Harmony of Glory and Happiness
Summary
In reflecting on the journey of Desiring God, I revisited the foundational tension I experienced as a youth between God's glory and my pursuit of happiness. This tension, which seemed to suggest that true obedience required unhappiness, was a misunderstanding that God used to lead me into a deeper truth. We are inherently wired to seek happiness, a reflection of being made in God's image. This quest for joy is not at odds with God's glory; rather, they are beautifully intertwined. The discovery that God's glory and our joy are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, complementary, was transformative. This realization birthed the vision of Desiring God, emphasizing that pursuing joy in God is not only permissible but a biblical duty.
The Bible commands us to pursue joy, as seen in verses like Psalm 100:1 and Philippians 4:4. This pursuit is not optional; it is a divine mandate. Moreover, the nature of faith and conversion teaches us that true joy is found in God alone. The parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44 illustrates that conversion is about finding ultimate joy in Christ, leading us to willingly forsake all else. This is not self-denial for its own sake but a joyful exchange of lesser treasures for the greatest treasure—Christ Himself.
The essence of Christian hedonism is that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, even in moments of great loss. This understanding resolves the tension between God's glory and our joy, showing that they are not competing interests but a harmonious relationship. However, this message has been misunderstood as man-centered, akin to prosperity teaching. To clarify, I emphasize that while God does make much of us, our ultimate joy must be rooted in making much of Him. This ranking is crucial to avoid idolatry and to ensure that our joy is grounded in God, not in ourselves.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Divine Mandate for Joy: The Bible commands us to pursue joy in God, not as an option but as a duty. This pursuit aligns with God's desire for His glory, showing that our happiness and His glory are not at odds but are beautifully intertwined. [07:12]
2. The Nature of True Conversion: Conversion is about finding ultimate joy in Christ, leading us to willingly forsake all else. This is not mere self-denial but a joyful exchange of lesser treasures for the greatest treasure—Christ Himself. [10:10]
3. Christian Hedonism Explained: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, even in moments of great loss. This understanding resolves the tension between God's glory and our joy, showing that they are not competing interests but a harmonious relationship. [18:22]
4. Avoiding Misunderstandings: While God does make much of us, our ultimate joy must be rooted in making much of Him. This ranking is crucial to avoid idolatry and to ensure that our joy is grounded in God, not in ourselves. [24:39]
5. The Greater Love of God: God's love is greater when He makes Himself our ultimate treasure rather than making us our own end. Our hearts are made for God, and only He can satisfy them fully. [58:16]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Introduction to Desiring God
[00:46] - Old and New Perspectives
[01:22] - The Tension Between Glory and Happiness
[03:21] - Wired for Joy
[04:25] - The Duty of Delight
[06:00] - Biblical Commands for Joy
[07:26] - The Threat of Joylessness
[08:17] - Faith and Joy in God
[09:22] - The Nature of Evil
[10:10] - Conversion and Joy
[12:02] - Love and the Pursuit of Joy
[15:32] - Philippians 1:20 and Christian Hedonism
[18:22] - The Essence of Christian Hedonism
[20:26] - Misunderstandings of the Message
[24:39] - Ranking Joy in God
[28:43] - The Danger of Misplaced Joy
[35:11] - God's Love and Glory
[42:46] - God Makes Much of Us
[58:16] - The Greater Love of God
[01:01:17] - Final Exhortation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 100:1 - "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!"
2. Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."
3. Matthew 13:44 - "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the perceived tension that the speaker experienced in his youth between God's glory and personal happiness? [01:22]
2. How does the speaker describe the way we are "wired" in relation to our pursuit of happiness? [03:21]
3. What does the speaker identify as the Biblical foundation for the pursuit of joy? [06:00]
4. How does the parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44 illustrate the nature of conversion according to the sermon? [10:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the speaker's understanding of Christian hedonism resolve the tension between God's glory and personal joy? [18:22]
2. In what ways does the speaker suggest that the pursuit of joy in God is a divine mandate rather than an option? [07:12]
3. How does the speaker differentiate between being made much of by God and making much of God? Why is this distinction important? [24:39]
4. What does the speaker mean when he says that God's love is greater when He makes Himself our ultimate treasure? [58:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt that pursuing your happiness was at odds with glorifying God. How might the sermon’s message change your perspective on that experience? [01:22]
2. The speaker mentions that we are commanded to pursue joy in God. How can you actively pursue joy in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [07:12]
3. Consider the parable of the hidden treasure. What are some "lesser treasures" in your life that you might need to forsake to fully embrace the joy found in Christ? [10:10]
4. The sermon suggests that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. What practical steps can you take to find satisfaction in God, even in moments of loss or difficulty? [18:22]
5. How can you ensure that your ultimate joy is rooted in making much of God rather than in being made much of by others? What changes might this require in your current lifestyle or mindset? [24:39]
6. The speaker emphasizes the importance of ranking our joy in God above all else. What are some practical ways you can prioritize your relationship with God in your daily routine? [24:39]
7. Reflect on the idea that God's love is greater when He makes Himself our ultimate treasure. How does this understanding impact your view of God's love and your relationship with Him? [58:16]
Devotional
Day 1: The Divine Mandate for Joy
The pursuit of joy in God is not merely a suggestion but a divine command. This pursuit aligns with God's desire for His glory, demonstrating that our happiness and His glory are not at odds but are beautifully intertwined. The Bible commands us to pursue joy, as seen in verses like Psalm 100:1 and Philippians 4:4. This pursuit is not optional; it is a divine mandate. Understanding this truth can transform our relationship with God, as we realize that seeking joy in Him is a reflection of His image in us. Embracing this mandate allows us to experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. [07:12]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally pursue joy in God today, and how might this pursuit change your perspective on daily challenges?
Day 2: The Nature of True Conversion
True conversion is about finding ultimate joy in Christ, leading us to willingly forsake all else. This is not mere self-denial but a joyful exchange of lesser treasures for the greatest treasure—Christ Himself. The parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44 illustrates that conversion is about finding ultimate joy in Christ, leading us to willingly forsake all else. This understanding of conversion challenges us to evaluate what we truly value and to consider whether we are willing to let go of lesser things for the sake of knowing Christ more deeply. [10:10]
Matthew 13:44 (ESV): "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Reflection: What is one "lesser treasure" in your life that you sense God is asking you to exchange for the greater joy found in Christ?
Day 3: Christian Hedonism Explained
Christian hedonism teaches that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, even in moments of great loss. This understanding resolves the tension between God's glory and our joy, showing that they are not competing interests but a harmonious relationship. Embracing this perspective allows us to find joy in God regardless of our circumstances, trusting that His glory is revealed through our satisfaction in Him. This approach to faith encourages us to seek God as our ultimate source of joy and fulfillment. [18:22]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to find satisfaction in God, and how can you begin to trust Him more deeply in that area today?
Day 4: Avoiding Misunderstandings
While God does make much of us, our ultimate joy must be rooted in making much of Him. This ranking is crucial to avoid idolatry and to ensure that our joy is grounded in God, not in ourselves. Misunderstandings of this message can lead to a man-centered faith, akin to prosperity teaching. It is essential to recognize that while God values us, our greatest joy comes from valuing Him above all else. This perspective helps us maintain a God-centered focus in our lives, ensuring that our joy is aligned with His glory. [24:39]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking personal recognition to making much of God in your daily interactions and decisions?
Day 5: The Greater Love of God
God's love is greater when He makes Himself our ultimate treasure rather than making us our own end. Our hearts are made for God, and only He can satisfy them fully. This understanding invites us to reorient our desires and affections towards God, recognizing that His love is most profound when He is our greatest treasure. By making God our ultimate pursuit, we experience the depth of His love and the satisfaction that only He can provide. This perspective encourages us to seek God wholeheartedly, trusting that He alone can fulfill our deepest longings. [58:16]
Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV): "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to make God your ultimate treasure, and how might this change the way you experience His love in your life?
Quotes
We are commanded to pursue joy. And by the way, just as far as terminology goes, joy, pleasure, happiness, satisfaction, contentment, and the list could go on, I don’t distinguish those. I know most of you do, like R.C. in his book The Holiness of God talks about joy versus pleasure, and in his mind pleasure is defined as it’s natural, it’s carnal, it’s what the world can give you, and then joy would be what God can give you. [00:05:12]
The Bible, “In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This is not a small word. This is not a bad word, and it’s okay for R.C. in The Holiness of God to use pleasures as small and bad because that’s just okay to do that with definitions. Just know that when I read my Bible, I see happiness, I see pleasure, I see satisfaction, I see joy, and they’re all jumbled up and used interchangeably. [00:06:00]
The nature of conversion teaches that we should pursue our joy in God. The shortest parable, Matthew 13:44, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man finds and goes and in his joy sells all that he has and buys that field.” So what is it to be converted? It’s to find a treasure and to open it up and say, “Look what’s in there.” [00:10:10]
And what is that? You think that’s self-denial? Yeah. Yeah, that’s exactly what Jesus meant by self-denial. Sell it off. I think that’s what He meant. If you would come after Me, you must, Luke 14:33, renounce all that you have – period. All of it goes. And you must love me more than you love your mother and your father and your sister and your brother and your son and your daughter. [00:11:02]
This is hedonism talk in the gospels. The demand for love teaches the pursuit of joy. A little more complex, I mean love for people. Let’s just take one verse. I’ve got several but just one. Hebrews 12:2, for the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. I get really tight about this when people start dumping on the pursuit of joy, as though it didn’t produce love. [00:12:02]
I’m going to ask you, what was it that sustained Jesus in the hour of performing the greatest act of sacrifice to bring about the greatest act of love that ever was? And the answer is joy, joy, for the joy that was set before Him. In other words, He’s on a quest to maximize divine pleasure. He will have a people for His name from all the peoples of the world. [00:12:32]
How did this duty to be happy and God’s design to be glorified come together for me? They came together in Philippians 1:20 and in Jonathan Edwards, and in that order and in that priority. Philippians 1:20 goes like this, “It is my eager expectation and hope that Christ will be glorified” or magnified (megaluno in the Greek, you can hear it). He will be made much of. [00:15:20]
He will be made big. He will be made to look great. “Christ will be magnified in my body whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is,” what? “gain.” Now what does that mean? Let’s put the logic together. “My,” Paul says, “My zeal, passion is that Christ be magnified in my body,” that is in all my physical life on earth, whether I’m living or dying, I want Christ to look great in my life. [00:15:48]
And then he says, “For,” and he picks those two pieces – live and die, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Now you see how that works? You see how the logic works? I want Christ to be magnified in my body as I die. And how does it work? For dying to me is gain. He magnified Christ in death by counting death gain. Does that make sense? That was the answer for me. [00:16:24]
It is the answer. Paul is saying, “Alright I may go to the lions. I may be burned. I may be left to rot in a prison. I may have a shipwreck and not even make it to Rome. I don’t know how I’m going to die, but if I die, when I die, O God, I want Jesus to look great in the way I die.” And he knew the answer to how that would be. I will count death gain. What does that mean? That means I get the treasure. [00:17:10]
I get the joy now. So he looks at everything. He looks at all of his friends. He looks at all of the ministry possibilities. He looks at the possibility of a retirement in who knows where, and he says, “Lose all that and get Christ – gain.” Now that’s the essence of Christian hedonism. I lose everything on the planet, gain one thing – Christ, and I call it gain. This is all rubbish by comparison. [00:17:45]
And the key is that is the way Christ looks magnificent in his dying. So I’m finished. My quest is over. Now I see it. Christ is most magnified in me when I am most satisfied in Him at the moment of my greatest loss. It’s over. That’s it. That’s the end of my quest right there. That’s the end… that’s it. Desiring God is now finished. I can just work that out forever and ever, which is what I think I’ll be doing. [00:18:22]
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