A sign in an ice-cream store said, “FREE ICE CREAM CONES TOMORROW!”

But tomorrow never comes. The next day is not tomorrow. It is always today.

Many people have been promised the joy of knowing Jesus, but have never experienced it in a full and fulfilling way. They’ve been promised joy if they read the Bible more, pray more and do Christian deeds. But their joy-tank is still empty.

So where does joy come from? It comes only from trusting God and learning to live in His presence. “In His presence is fullness of joy.”

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT

Abiding or living in His presence does not mean I visit Him occasionally, or only talk to Him when I need something. No, rather it means a continual conversation and awareness of His presence. The breath you just breathed was from Him. Your eyesight, hearing and taste are from Him. The stars, moon and oak trees are from Him. They were made for His and your pleasure! For our joy!

Have you seen the new videos of the deepest parts of the ocean, showing some of the most unusual fish we have ever seen? Since creation, no one has seen these odd-looking fish. Yet God made them for His pleasure. Creating them brought Him great joy!

Isn’t it time we get to know our God better, and enter into the joy of His salvation? Think of it. We were headed to hell, but now are promised heaven? Isn’t it time we cast our daily cares on Him, and let the joy of the Lord really become our strength?

How does this happen? Here it is. We simply choose to trust Him with everything. We pray about everything. And even in the sorrows of life, the joy of His forgiveness can still fill our hearts!

When we realize God is actually living within us, and hears every word, and knows every thought, we mature in our faith. When we realize we can trust Him completely to keep our earth in orbit, and to keep our heart beating in proper rhythm, we realize how little we are actually in control.

Instead of fear or sadness, choose His joy.