Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence.
Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence.
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) 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 (NIV) You make known to me the path of life; you
will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at
your right hand.
Joy comes from being in God's presence. True joy is far deeper
than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles.
Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but
joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us. As
we contemplate his daily presence, we will find contentment. As we
understand the future he has for us, we will experience joy. Don't base
your life on circumstances, but on God. [Life Application SB]
Maybe you think God is mainly interested in getting you to
follow instructions. Perhaps you expect Him to focus on your
productivity. Or maybe you are more aware of His inward emphasis - on
conforming you to the image of His Son. After all, God is very clear in His
Word about our obedience and fruitfulness, and even more so about our
character. No one can argue that these are not biblical themes. But
according to this verse, there's an even higher destination for us:
pleasure.
If that's hard to believe, it's because of our own sense of
unworthiness on top of two thousand years of church teaching about austerity
and deprivation and mortifying the flesh. In most Christian circles,
pleasure is a bad word. But what do we think obedience and fruitfulness
and conformity to Christ are all about? Do we believe that God's
ultimate goal for us is changed behavior or a reshaped character? Those
are simply pathways to something much greater. They lead to joy in
our relationship with God, fulfillment in everything He created us
to be, satisfaction in our deepest desires, and glory - that is,
God's relentless goodness. His goal for us, as one translation puts
it, is "pleasures evermore." God is leading us toward having a
really good time.
That's why He shows each of us "the way of life," why He
speaks to us and gives us direction. He isn't opposed to our pleasure;
He's actually helping us toward the most thorough and lasting way to
experience it. What often seems like stern resistance to our desires is
really God's way of redirecting us into more fulfilling ones. Every
time His words seem difficult, they are offering an accelerated
pathway into His joy instead. God really is on our side!
Lord, I long for the eternal pleasures at Your right hand. I
know many of them begin now, and I want to experience them fully.
Please honor my attentiveness to Your words by giving me strong tastes
of those pleasures in this age. [The One Year Hearing His Voice
Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
Keep your eyes on Me, not only for direction but also for
empowerment. I never lead you to do something without equipping you for the
task. That is why it's so important to seek My will in everything you
do. There are many burned-out Christians who think more is always
better, who deem it unspiritual to say no.
In order to know My will, you must spend time with Me -
enjoying My Presence. This is not an onerous [burdensome] task but a
delightful privilege. I will show you the path of Life; in My Presence is
fullness of Joy; at My right hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Psa.
141:8; 16:11) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Stay ever so close to Me, and you will not deviate from the
path I have prepared for you. This is the most efficient way to stay
on track; it is also the most enjoyable way. Men tend to multiply
duties in their observance of religion. This practice enables them to
give Me money, time, and work without yielding up to Me what I desire
the most--their hearts. Rules can be observed mechanically. Once
they become habitual, they can be followed with minimal effort and
almost no thought. These habit-forming rules provide a false sense of
security, lulling the soul into a comatose condition.
What I search for in My children is an awakened soul that
thrills to the Joy of My Presence! I created mankind to glorify Me and
enjoy Me forever. I provide the Joy; your part is to glorify Me by
living close to Me. (Deu. 6:5; Col. 3:23; Psa. 16:11) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
You cannot serve two masters. If I am truly your Master, you
will desire to please Me above all others. If pleasing people is your
goal, you will be enslaved to them. People can be harsh taskmasters
when you give them this power over you.
If I am the Master of your life, I will also be your First
Love. Your serving Me is rooted and grounded in My vast, unconditional
Love for you. The lower you bow down before Me, the higher I lift you
up into intimate relationship with Me. The Joy of living in My
Presence outshines all other pleasures. I want you to reflect My joyous
Light by living in increasing intimacy with Me. (Mat. 6:24; Rev. 2:4;
Eph. 3:16, 17; Psa. 16:11) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
There is an open road ahead of you - all the way to heaven. I
am your traveling Companion, and I know every twist and turn of
your path. You see problems and limitations impeding your progress no
matter which direction you look. But your vision is ever so limited.
All I ask of you is to take the next small step - refusing to give
up, refusing to stop trusting Me.
Your life is truly a faith-walk, and I am absolutely
faithful! Though your understanding will fail you, I never will. The
challenge before you is to stop focusing on your problems and limitations
- and to believe that the way ahead really is an open road, in
spite of how it looks.
I am the Way to the Father in heaven. Remember how much I had
to suffer in order to open up the path of Life for you. No one else
will ever have to endure what I went through. When you are
struggling, simply take the next step and thank Me for clearing the way
before you - all the way to heaven.(1Co. 10:13; 2Co. 5:7; John 14:6;
Psa. 16:11) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
As you turn your attention to Me, feel the Light of My Presence
shining upon you. Open your mind and heart to receive My heavenly smile
of approval. Let My gold-tinged Love wash over you and soak into
the depths of your being. As you are increasingly filled with My
Being, you experience joyous union with Me: I in you, and you in Me.
Your Joy-in-Me and My Joy-in-you become intertwined and inseparable.
I suffuse your soul with Joy in My Presence; at My right hand
there are pleasures forevermore. (John 17:20-23; Psa. 16:11) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141027-2150.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110120-1211.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Video Clip: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
