Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work."

God will pay us back. Doing his will from the heart is the key of life, and the fountain of pleasure on earth.

The Lord Jesus, from his heart, served God. He was rewarded with pleasure, so he hungered no more! John 4:32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” He endured the vileness and the difficulty of the Samaritan woman [vs1-26]. He spoke to her plainly, and her salvation brought him joy.

Trust the Lord for pleasure. Do things his way for the reward!

First, "My food." There's food for us. He doesn't leave us to hunger and beg.

This surprised me. I didn't think there was joy in serving Christ. My life has been filled with self service. I now see another joy in the Spirit that's higher. It's the joy of God serving us, and us serving him back. It's the joy of receiving his love, loving him, and loving others. He gives it by the Spirit. He's a joy giving God.

Let's never go to fountains that don't satisfy. God cursed the waters of this world, so that we thirst again. John 4:13, Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;" We can't find satisfaction in money or fame. It's not in easy living! It's doing God's will, whatever that is, and doing it unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 — "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Secondly, "Him who sent me." Think about the great God. Think about his character as your Redeemer. Think of all that he gave up to save you. Think of his love in choosing you, and the COMPASSION he has on our sins. Hosea 11:9, "I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath." Think of the hell he saved you from, and the heaven you're going to. Is he cruel, and joyless? Can that be?

No. The problem is we don't go to him for joy. We're seduced by what we can achieve ourselves. We don't trust him for pleasure. We take it from Satan, love the world, and seek to glorify ourselves. We don't humble ourselves to serve by the gospel. We live in self righteousness, self strength, and self will. This trifecta of Satan and triple dose of unrighteousness deceives us, and we lose joy.

Arguing doctrine and fighting with sinners isn't the same as blessing them. Striving for position isn't the joy of service. Coveting the world isn't the simple pleasure of faith.

Go to God, today, and say, "Make my joy real. Make me find it where you give it. Do it for me."

Ask in confidence, and ask boldly. Psalms 42:5, "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence." He delights to give us his will. He delights not in our strength and hypocrisy, but he loves doing everything. Psalms 147:10-11, "He is not impressed by the strength of a horse; He does not value the power of a man. The Lord values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love." Humble yourself, and ask! He will give.

Thirdly, "to finish his work." Christ had to die for us, and redeem us. He must pay for our sins, if we'll be saved. He had to suffer punishment, and there was no joy in it. Future joy saw him through! He labored for the reward. Hebrews 12:2 "keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne."

Likewise, let's finish his work. Our reward comes later too. We don't have everything on earth, but a new heaven and a new earth is coming. Serve, because you'll have joy one day that you can't have now. Serve, because of the resurrection promise - that you'll see those you helped, and you'll be encouraged forever. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, "For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy!"

You'll have a GREATER JOY as a missionary supporter, than if you spent money on yourself endlessly. You'll have more joy in prayer, than if you consumed entertainment only. The more you give, the more you'll receive. Trust him, though no one sees you on earth. In fact, do nothing for applause and approval. Serve the Lord sincerely.