The Fullness of Joy

Devotional

By the grace of God, we have a beautiful inheritance of eternal and tangible relationship with our heavenly Father. Psalm 16:5-6 says, “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” And later in verse 11 David writes, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

God has designated the beautiful inheritance of his presence for us. Israel knew what it was to center their gatherings around the presence of God. His presence guided them through the wilderness. His presence won battles for them. His presence was powerful in the Holy of Holies. God’s presence was the sign that he was with them and for them.

And Psalm 16:11 tells us that in the presence of God “there is fullness of joy.” Imagine what the fullness of joy looks and feels like. What would it be like to have a real encounter with the fullness of joy today? In the fullness of joy there is no sorrow, worry, doubt, or fear. In the fullness of joy there is abundant life, peace, freedom, and love.

Psalm 43:4 says, “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy.” Consistently encountering the presence of our heavenly Father is the sole source of “exceeding joy” on this earth. Only in spending time going to his altar will we experience the joy that is our portion. Only in his presence will the joy of the Lord truly become our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Heavenly joy is an essential element to the Christian life. Joy isn’t something we are created to live without. It isn’t a pursuit secondary to other pursuits. 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 a relationship with God truly is.

In his book In Our Joy, John Piper writes, “But when God gives the radical change of new birth and repentance, Jesus himself becomes our supreme treasure.” Choose the better portion today of spending time encountering the fullness of joy that can only be found in the presence of God. Allow God to bring a radical change of new birth and repentance that positions Christ as your supreme treasure. And pursue heavenly joy today that you might 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.