January 19, 2025 Devo

When I read our passage today, I thought of the words from Brandon Lake’s song, “Graves Into Gardens.” The opening verse and chorus say, “I searched the world, but it couldn't fill me. Man's empty praise and treasures that fade are never enough. Then You came along and put me back together. And every desire Is now satisfied here in Your love. Oh, there's nothing better than You. There's nothing better than You. Lord, there's nothing, nothing is better than You!”
Can you resonate with that? I know many of us can. How many of us have chased after everything but the Real Thing to try and find joy? We think some special relationship can do it. So we go looking for Mr. or Miss Right. Surely there is someone out there who can meet every need and fill that deep need for love we have in our hearts. But no one can. About a dozen heartbreaks later, we decide they don’t exist.
The same thing happens when we think money is going to give us joy. What’s so funny is how the exact opposite often happens. People make a lot of money and then spend all their time worrying about losing it. Their happiness goes up and down with the stock market.
David makes a wonderful observation in our passage today. Joy comes from God. He knows what it’s like to go from shepherd boy to king and from king to fugitive. He knows what it’s like to sleep out under the stars with his sheep, sleep in a palace surrounded by luxury, and now, sleep in a cave fleeing for his life. David discovered that life can give you a lot and take a lot from you. But he also discovered that what life can’t give or take is JOY. That deep understanding of being loved, valued, and held in the Hand of Almighty God. Big harvests and having a lot may make you happy for a moment, but it can go away as quickly as it comes. Only God gives joy.
Take a moment to remind yourself of that today. How much of YOUR heart has been looking for joy where it can’t be found? How much effort have you been putting into seeking things that won’t last and looking for wholeness, satisfaction, and security where it doesn’t exist? And how often have you expected people to give you what only God can give? Go back and read the words of “Graves Into Gardens” again. You’ll discover Brandon Lake is right. There is NOTHING better than God! That’s God’s Word for you today.