Two Kinds Of Pleasure

-June 22, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17).

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

There two kinds of pleasure that are mentioned in the Scriptures; earthly pleasures and heavenly pleasures. The former stir the flesh to sin and last only temporarily; the latter stir the spirit and last forever.

Earth pleasure leads only to sorrow and poverty. Those who seek it will never have true joy, happiness, or fulfillment. People who chase pleasure can never find it.

King Solomon in his later years sought after pleasure in this world apart from God, only to conclude that it was vanity of vanities. He wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:10, “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor.”

On the other hand, godly pleasure is found only in Christ. There is fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord. In the 1982 Academy Award winning film, “Chariots of Fire,” sprinter Eric Liddell, a devout believer in Christ, competed in the 1924 Olympics. Because of his strong beliefs and convictions, he refused to run on Sunday. He was the clear favorite in the 100 meter dash. A teammate on the British team gave him his spot in the 400 meters. That was a long race for sprinter. He not only won, but set an Olympic record.

Eric always looked upward as he came toward the finish line and said, “I run for His pleasure.” May the Lord help us to live for the Lord’s pleasure and find our fulfillment and satisfaction in Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

What pleasure are you seeking: The heavenly kind or the earthly kind?

Dean