FULLNESS OF JOY IN HIS PRESENCE

You will show me the path of life; in YOUR PRESENCE is FULLNESS of JOY; at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.  – Psalm 16:11

There is a realm in the path of life that is called the “FULLNESS of JOY”: “You will show me the path of life; in YOUR PRESENCE is FULLNESS of JOY; at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psa.16:11). The reality of this realm is confirmed in the mouth of more than one witness in Scriptures. Here, the Psalmist revealed that the fullness of Joy abides in the Presence of the Lord, particular for whoever has been the shown the “path of life.” Joy always accompanies God’s Presence. Whoever bears the indwelling presence of God has a potential fountain of Joy within. The Lord Jesus also confirmed this: “These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (Jh.15:11).

By the grace of God, we have a beautiful inheritance of eternal and tangible relationship with our heavenly Father: “You, O LORD, are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance” (Psa.16:5-6). And then: “…in YOUR PRESENCE is FULLNESS of JOY…” (v.11). God has designated the beautiful inheritance of His presence for us. Israel knew the reality of centering their gatherings around Yahweh’s presence. His presence guided them through the wilderness; was powerful in the Holy of Holies; won battles for them; and was the sign that He was with them and for them.

The Presence of the Lord is the guarantee of the “fullness of joy.” An encounter with His Presence is an encounter with the fullness of joy, in which there is no sorrow, worry, doubt, or fear. In the fullness of joy there is abundant life, peace, freedom, and love. Consistently encountering the presence of our heavenly Father is the sole source of “exceeding joy” on this earth: “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy” (Psa.43:4a). It is in spending time at His altar that wel experience His joy as our portion. Only in His presence will the Joy of the Lord truly become our strength (Neh.8:10).

Joy isn’t something we are created to live without. The Joy of the Lord is not a pursuit secondary to other pursuits. Heavenly joy is an indispensable ingredient in the Christian life. Heavenly joy is a cornerstone on which we live lives that reflect the goodness, grace, love, and reality of our heavenly Father. Joy is meant to be the mouthpiece by which we declare how wonderful our relationship with God truly is.

Beloved, choose the better portion today of spending time to encounter the fullness of joy that can only be found in His Presence. Allow God on the basis of the new birth, to bring a radical change that positions Christ as your supreme treasure. Ask the Lord to reveal His nearness. God is never far from us. His Presence is with us. He longs to make Himself known. Meditate on the fullness of Joy available in the Presence of God, and allow Scripture to stir up a desire to encounter divine Joy. As you passionately pursue His Presence, you’ll ultimately embrace His Joy and Strength, and come to demonstrate the surpassing kindness of your heavenly Father to a world that is desperately seeking what can only be found in restored relationship with Him.

No matter how depressive, sorrowful or pain-filled your past might have been, the Fullness of Joy can be your portion henceforth. Acts 13:52 says: “the disciples were FILLED with JOY, and with the HOLY SPIRIT.” No amount of affliction can stop the flow of Joy of the Holy Spirit (1The.1:6).  When you are truly filled with the Holy Spirit, no circumstance or adverse situation can silence you; no devil or demon can dam the flow and overflow of your joy! Through God’s Word and intimacy with His Spirit, His joy will be revealed and injected into your heart; and you’ll begin to encounter, experience, and reflect the Fullness of Joy.