Psalm 16:8-11 (ESV)
“I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Reflection:
“Fullness of joy” – have you ever wondered what that looks like? It is a promise that Jesus gives His disciples on a number of occasions. This joy can’t be obtained by anything this world has to offer. The joy of the Lord is found in His presence, in unity and intimacy with Him. When we spend time in His presence and “set Him before [us]”, our joy is made full, as earthly things fade away in light of His glory and His love.
God is for us. His heart is toward us. He loves giving good gifts to His children – that’s you and me. He only wants what’s best for us. Do I believe that when life around looks unstable and bleak? Do you? Yet when we have intimacy with God, we “shall not be shaken”. There is something that is found in God’s presence that cannot be manufactured by anything, or anyone, else, and that grounds us, secures us and brings us to life of a supernatural kind. It is everlasting; it is joy complete.
Prayer outline:
Father God, thank You that Your heart toward me is good and kind. Thank You for Your unending grace and Your desire for me to walk in the fullness of Your joy. Holy Spirit, lead and guide me in Your truth. Set my gaze upon You, Father, as only You will do. Show me where I have turned to substitutions in life around me and remove them from before me. I choose to set You always before me, my Rock and my Foundation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.