d“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith”
Psalms 40:16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!
Isaiah 65:13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of heart and shall wail for breaking of spirit.
Psalms 22:26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!
Psalms 35:27 Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
Psalms 68:3 But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!
Psalms 119:166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments. My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.
Psalms 105:3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Psalms 119:111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
Luke 14:33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
I wonder if some of the lack of joy in our life comes from the fact we do not forsake all we have in this world. Are we attached to things this world has to offer and missing out in having gladness and joy in our heart that comes from a closeness to God, a dependency on Him, and eyes of our heart, soul and mind focused on humbly serving Him in the short time we have this side of eternity. Attachment to things this world has to offer is to believe the lie “it will satisfy”. It is always very short in delivering satisfaction and is very good at sugar coating this false promise. True and lasting joy can only be found in God, humbly serving, willingly obeying, and always seeking Him. What does it profit man to gain the world and lose their soul?
