Psalm 21:6 - The Eternal Blessings of God and the Exceeding Joy of His Presence.
Psalm 21:6: The Eternal Blessings of God and the Exceeding Joy
of His Presence.
Psalm 21:6 (NLT) You have endowed him with eternal blessings and
given him the joy of your presence.
INTRODUCTION
Joy comes from being in Gods presence. Davids heart was
glad"he had found the secret to joy. 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 Gods 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. Dont base your
life on circumstances, but on God. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY
David knew what it was like to seek God for rescue, defense,
victory, provision, direction, and more. But he also knew what it was
like to sit or even sleep in God's Presence. He thirsted and panted
and longed for God. He believed someone could taste and see that the
Lord is good. His greatest desire was to live in the Lord's house,
delight in His perfections, and meditate on His Word. David knew that
God - though mighty to save, provide, guide, and heal - is primarily
relational. He is a Being. He calls Himself "I AM." He is before He does.
Those made in His image need to be the same way. We are
simply to be in His Presence before doing things for Him or seeking
things from Him. Our words aren't even necessary for Him - He knows our
thoughts already - and they often aren't necessary for us, either. Like
sitting in a room and enjoying a loved one's silent companionship, we
can sit with God and just be. There's joy simply in a sense of His
Presence.
Hear His voice: "Spend time with Me today. I don't just mean
have conversations with Me, though our conversations are good. I mean
spend time just being with Me. Learn to exist, to move in the
knowledge of My Presence. Many of the answers and changes you long for
come with seeking My Presence rather than seeking the answers and
changes themselves. When you prioritize Me, I move on your behalf much
more readily. I desire good things for you. But above all, I want
your heart."
Lord, my heart is Yours. I want Your benefits, but I want You
even more. Fill me with the joy of Your Presence as I seek You above
all else. [The One Year Experiencing Gods Presence Devotional by
Chris Tiegreen]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I continually call you to closeness with Me. I know the depth
and breadth of your need for Me. I can read the emptiness of your
thoughts when they wander away from Me. I offer rest for your soul, as
well as refreshment for your mind and body. As you increasingly find
fulfillment in Me, other pleasures become less important. Knowing Me
intimately is like having a private wellspring of Joy within you. This
spring flows freely from My throne of grace, so your Joy is independent
of circumstances.
Waiting in My Presence keeps you connected to Me, aware of
all that I offer you. If you feel any deficiency, you need to
refocus your attention on Me. This is how you trust Me in the moments of
your life. (Psa. 131:2; 21:6; 37:7) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in
My Presence. On some days Joy is generously strewn along your
life-path, glistening in the sunlight. On days like that, being content is
as simple as breathing the next breath or taking the next step.
Other days are overcast and gloomy; you feel the strain of the
journey, which seems endless. Dull gray rocks greet your gaze and cause
your feet to ache. Yet Joy is still attainable. Search for it as for
hidden treasure.
Begin by remembering that I have created this day; it is not
a chance occurrence. Recall that I am present with you whether you
sense My Presence or not. Then, start talking with Me about whatever
is on your mind. Rejoice in the fact that I understand you
perfectly, and I know exactly what you are experiencing. As you continue
communicating with Me, your mood will gradually lighten. Awareness of My
marvelous Companionship can infuse Joy into the grayest day. (Psa. 21:6;
Pro. 2:4) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Bring Me the sacrifice of your time: a most precious commodity.
In this action-addicted world, few of My children take time to sit
quietly in My Presence. But for those who do, blessings flow like
streams of living water. I, the One from whom all blessings flow, am
also blessed by our time together. This is a deep mystery; do not try
to fathom it. Instead, glorify Me by delighting in Me. Enjoy Me now
and forever! (Psa. 21:6; John 7:38; Psa. 103:11) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
Trust Me and don't be afraid, for I am your Strength and
Song. Think what it means to have Me as your Strength. I spoke the
universe into existence: My Power is absolutely unlimited! Human
weakness, consecrated to Me, is like a magnet, drawing My Power into your
neediness. However, fear can block the flow of My Strength into you.
Instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting Me. When
you relate to Me in confident trust, there is no limit to how much I
can strengthen you.
Remember that I am also your Song. I want you to share My
Joy, living in conscious awareness of My Presence. Rejoice as we
journey together toward heaven: join Me in singing My Song. (Isa. 12:2,
3; Psa. 21:6) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
ILLUSTRATIONS
John Wesley taught his followers to pray, "Let me abstain
from all pleasures that don't prepare me for taking pleasure in
thee."
That doesn't mean he was a killjoy. When people accused him
of being sour, he replied that he was convinced "true religion or
holiness cannot be without cheerfulness. True religion has nothing sour,
austere, unsociable, or unfriendly in it."
Wesley countered critics with questions: "Are you for having
as much cheerfulness as you can? So am I. Do you try to keep alive
your taste for innocent pleasures? So do I." He insisted that he
enjoyed "every pleasure that leads to my taking pleasure in [God]."
Wesley denounced the idea that knowledge of our sinfulness
makes us miserable. He insisted that dealing head-on with our
tendencies toward "pride, self-will and peevishness" enables one to
experience "peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."
Wesley wrote prayers for daily use, including these:
"I know you are the end for which I was created, and I can
expect no happiness but in thee."
"Let us take pleasure in your service and abound in your
work, and in your love and praise evermore."
Father and Provider of all blessings, cleanse me and bring
your holiness of joy and fulfillment into my life. Help me to seek
you fervently and to enjoy all pleasures in your company. [The One
Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra]
Sherwood Wirt tells us that the French poet Paul Claudel once
remarked, after listening to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, "Now I know that
at the heart of the universe is joy."
That's a hopeful and optimistic perspective, but it seems to
be contradicted by the vast emptiness of outer space and the
agonies of humankind. To echo Einstein's question, Is the universe
friendly?
In response, Wirt turns to the Scriptures where, amid the
Bible's rugged realism, he finds repeated affirmations of joy. The
psalmist speaks of "God my exceeding joy" (Psalm 43:4, KJV). Isaiah
urges, "Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth!" (Isaiah 49:13 NKJV).
Jesus promised his disciples joy, and Peter writes of "inexpressible
and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1:8 NIV).
The psalms are songs full of rejoicing and calls to rejoice.
Woody observes that the words gladness, joyousness, delight, and
jubilation appear 108 times. In the Psalms we find the full range of human
experience, including despair and desperation. Yet the theme throughout is
the call to "shout for joy all the earth, burst into jubilant
song with music" (Psalm 98:4, NIV).
Wirt turns to the word celebrate to capture the meaning for
our times. "Let the heavens celebrate, and let the earth be glad."
He calls for an injection of a spirit of jubilation. "The gospel is
a message of grace and deliverance from sin by the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, a call to repentance, commitment, and new life
in the Spirit. It is a life not only victorious, but filled with
the joy of heaven."
What is at the heart of the universe? The Bible affirms that
"God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16 NLT) and that he lives in glory and
joy. In our tragic, sinful world, that's often hard to comprehend.
Sherwood Win points us to the Good News: "The church has been
given a joyful message, the greatest news that ever came to the human
race.
Father in heaven, your salvation and joy are far beyond my
comprehension. Infuse my mind and spirit, I pray, with the rejoicing and
celebration that comes from you. Purify me, Lord, and draw me into your joy.
[The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness,--all depend upon
our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily,
hourly,--by abiding in Him, --that we are to grow in grace. He is not only
the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and
last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and
the end of our course, but at every step of the way. David says, "I
have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I
shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8. {SC 69.1} [Remnant SOP SB]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
