Presence of Joy

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever. Psalm 16:11

Life is uncertain. One just needs to tune into the daily news to be reminded that all is not well, violence is on the rise and angry hearts permeate society. As we try to survive in a culture of political, personal and spiritual unrest, it is easy to lose our joy. Fear may even be crouching at your door as you hear about another shooting, another bombing or another senseless act of violence. We have heard people saying that we are living in one of the worst times in history yet each generation that proceeded us also believed they were living in the worst days. The presence of sin and rebellion against the Lord Almighty has been the destructive force in generations past, in this present generation, and it will continue in future generations. That may sound like a defeatist attitude but it is not. It is simply acknowledging that the peace and unity we yearn for has been reserved for the next life, not this one. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus and keep our minds heavenward. As long as sin is active, there will be wars, hatred, intolerance and rejection of godly principles. Sin and evil have wreaked havoc with humanity (1 John 3:8) and will continue to do so until that glorious day when the Lord God Almighty sets all things straight and makes all things new. (Revelation 21:5).

So what do we do in the meantime while we groan and yearn with all of creation (Romans 8:22-23) for that glorious day of redemption? King David gives us some insight in
Psalm 16.

1) Take refuge in God (vs.1). We can rest secure in the One who calls us into His presence.
2) Give God preeminence in your life (vs.2-4). Keep your eyes on the Master, not on this world.
3) Acknowledge His blessings (vs. 5-6). Our inheritance is heaven bound not earthy trapped.
4) Praise Him and heed His counsel. Do not be shaken. (vs. 7-8)
5) Trust His heart (vs.9-10). He promises to never leave or forsake you.
6) Rest in the presence of His joy (vs.11). The best is yet to come!

As you allow Yahweh to fill your heart with joy and gladness, your tongue will sing His praises and your body will rest secure. The path of life is not hidden from the Christian. God fills us with the joy of His very presence, both now and forever in eternity.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me with the joy of Your presence. There is no greater place that I long to be, than in the presence of Jesus, my Master and Lord, amen.