A GLAD HEART -- Devotional for February 9, from "Good Seeds"

I have set the Lord continually before me…therefore my heart is glad. (Psalm 16:8,9)

What makes your heart glad? Good food? A cozy home? Good health? Good friends? A happy family? Lush forests? Clean air? Clean oceans? Open highways? Good fishing? A stable economy? Full churches? Empty prisons? Long life?… The writer of Proverbs 30:8-9 was probably thinking along these lines when he wrote, “O Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches; if I am overfull I may deny Thee; but if I am in want I may steal, and profane Thy name.” Does not this conservative balance between plenty and simplicity describe the fulfillment of the American Dream? Is it not the purpose for the formation of our nation? And aren’t such conditions the results of a strong belief in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? For that matter, why limit it to the way of life of the free world, for is it not the goal of such systems as socialism and communism to have no classes of rich and poor, but that every citizen be suitably clothed and fed, with a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage? The establishment of a balanced and tranquil society, at peace within and without, could certainly be considered both the subject and the object of every political speech and piece of legislation of every benevolent nation in the world. But does achieving such goals bring genuine satisfaction? Just look at America for a moment: it is filled with citizens who have achieved many of these conditions, but do we see gladness of heart as the predominate attitude? No. The nation most rolling in wealth is also the one most wallowing in depression, crime, broken homes, and broken lives. Glad hearts are a rare commodity indeed in the great societies of today. So, almost in desperation, we turn back to the Bible. What does it say is the source of true heart happiness? We hesitate to repeat it, fearing its simplicity will spell its rejection – and yet even a casual perusal of the Scriptures spells out the obvious truth, summarized so simply and beautifully in today’s verse: “I have set the Lord continually before me…therefore my heart is glad.” It is only by believing in and relying on the Savior and Lover of our souls that we can find gladness at the deepest level of our being. Despite the best efforts and greatest successes of government, science, education, and noble humanitarianism, we are left still so cold and dissatisfied. The secret to a glad heart is so simple you could miss it: set the Lord continually before you; in all your ways acknowledge Him; and delight yourself in Him alone!