Fullness of Joy
Psalm 16: 11, You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
The entire Psalm is seen as referring to the Messiah. As we look at the Psalm there are some valuable lessons to be learnt from it.
Firstly – THERE IS NOTHING GOOD IN BEING SEPARATED FROM GOD.
The Psalmist is dependent on God for his very sustenance. He recognizes that everything good is to be gained in remaining in GodÂ’s presence. There is refuge in the presence of God. He decides to remain there with cheerful, believing confidence. As the call of Christ, it is the call for preservation to the one who is his only refuge. Christ found His all sufficiency in God the Father [my goodness is nothing apart from you]. This is similar to the PsalmistÂ’s declaration in Ps. 73: 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
The entire Psalm is seen as referring to the Messiah. As we look at the Psalm there are some valuable lessons to be learnt from it.
Firstly – THERE IS NOTHING GOOD IN BEING SEPARATED FROM GOD.
The Psalmist is dependent on God for his very sustenance. He recognizes that everything good is to be gained in remaining in GodÂ’s presence. There is refuge in the presence of God. He decides to remain there with cheerful, believing confidence. As the call of Christ, it is the call for preservation to the one who is his only refuge. Christ found His all sufficiency in God the Father [my goodness is nothing apart from you]. This is similar to the PsalmistÂ’s declaration in Ps. 73: 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
When we state that the Lord is our Lord, we really need to stop and consider seriously what we have declared and how this declaration should affect our lives and the lives of those around us. We should then be comforted in what we have declared, and live up to it. When we are renewed by the grace of God, and devoted to the glory of God, we are saints on earth. If we cannot be saints on earth, we will never be saints in heaven. I quickly define a saint as a virtuous person, a particularly good or holy person, or one who is exceptionally kind and patient in dealing with difficult people or situations, a person who lives a life of exceptional holiness. This really should speak of every child of God. This is what enables us to enjoy the fullness of joy and the forever pleasures of the presence of God. What other place to find the saints of God than in the presence of God.
Secondly – DO NOT FORGET GOD AND FOCUS ELSEWHERE.
There is stark contrast between those who worship the true and living God and those who worship another god. Those who devote themselves to idolatry, whether intentional or otherwise, invite a mountain of sorrows into their lives. It is said that the one of the greatest judgments on idolaters is that they very often become like the thing they worship. Have you forgotten God? Has God been replaced in your life? By what, or who? ItÂ’s easy to answer these questions when we are honest with ourselves. For example, what is the driving force in your life? What keeps you going from day to day? Is it the job, the family, the relationship, the pursuit of happiness, of wealth? If any of these are true in your life then you must face the sad reality that you have forgotten God and turned your focus elsewhere. It is God who keeps us going from day to day and this is what the Psalmist wants us to remember. Away from His presence we have nothing, and are worth nothing. In his presence there is fullness of Joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Thirdly – SAFETY AND SECURITY ARE IN HIS PRESENCE
In todayÂ’s world one of the greatest concern we face is security. Whether it is financial security, or job security, or family security, or personal security, we all have at some point expressed these concerns to others or even in our prayers to God. The experience of Christ is here as an example for us to follow. He lived his life in the presence of God, being constantly provided with counsel, instructions, and guidance. He enjoyed the security of being in GodÂ’s presence. Our lives are not to be any different. Most people take the world for their chief good, the place of their happiness, and the place for the enjoyment of their happiness. However poor our condition in this world, if we have the love and favor of God, and are accepted by Him, and if we have that promise of happiness and life in the future state, then we have enough. It is when we live in His presence that this becomes real to us. The right hand of God refers here to the safety and security that GodÂ’s presence offers to His people. It is when we are assured of GodÂ’s constant care and protection, that we can truly face the future, the unknown, even death itself, with confidence. Are you in need of security? Have you lost your joy? Why not return to the presence of God where there are joys innumerable, as well as safety and security.
In his presence there is fullness of Joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Amen.
Secondly – DO NOT FORGET GOD AND FOCUS ELSEWHERE.
There is stark contrast between those who worship the true and living God and those who worship another god. Those who devote themselves to idolatry, whether intentional or otherwise, invite a mountain of sorrows into their lives. It is said that the one of the greatest judgments on idolaters is that they very often become like the thing they worship. Have you forgotten God? Has God been replaced in your life? By what, or who? ItÂ’s easy to answer these questions when we are honest with ourselves. For example, what is the driving force in your life? What keeps you going from day to day? Is it the job, the family, the relationship, the pursuit of happiness, of wealth? If any of these are true in your life then you must face the sad reality that you have forgotten God and turned your focus elsewhere. It is God who keeps us going from day to day and this is what the Psalmist wants us to remember. Away from His presence we have nothing, and are worth nothing. In his presence there is fullness of Joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Thirdly – SAFETY AND SECURITY ARE IN HIS PRESENCE
In todayÂ’s world one of the greatest concern we face is security. Whether it is financial security, or job security, or family security, or personal security, we all have at some point expressed these concerns to others or even in our prayers to God. The experience of Christ is here as an example for us to follow. He lived his life in the presence of God, being constantly provided with counsel, instructions, and guidance. He enjoyed the security of being in GodÂ’s presence. Our lives are not to be any different. Most people take the world for their chief good, the place of their happiness, and the place for the enjoyment of their happiness. However poor our condition in this world, if we have the love and favor of God, and are accepted by Him, and if we have that promise of happiness and life in the future state, then we have enough. It is when we live in His presence that this becomes real to us. The right hand of God refers here to the safety and security that GodÂ’s presence offers to His people. It is when we are assured of GodÂ’s constant care and protection, that we can truly face the future, the unknown, even death itself, with confidence. Are you in need of security? Have you lost your joy? Why not return to the presence of God where there are joys innumerable, as well as safety and security.
In his presence there is fullness of Joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Amen.
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