October 1, 2026 -- Psalm 16:11 -- Day One of Joy

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

You make known to me the path of life;
  in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
  at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
 
Not that long ago a friend gave me a book to help me with my reading break. The book is meant to slow Christians down so that their busy pace of life doesn’t hinder the depths of their walk with God—our life’s true purpose. In that book was a wonderful challenge: spend thirty days praying to God your joy. As I thought about that, I challenged myself to think of texts that would fill out the picture of God as the source of joy, the sustainer of joy, and focus of the believer’s joy now and for eternity.
 
In Psalm 16 the writer asks God to be His refuge, and the source of good, while he is surrounded by enemies. But this last verse shows us that the psalmist doesn’t want to stay still and stuck. He will venture out into the hostile world aware that God is giving him renewed purpose and strength. He is determined to go out boldly on the path of life. More than this, as he journeys by faith he looks to heaven. He is an Old Testament author, which means he doesn’t fully understand Who will be at God’s right hand, but this much he does know the source of his joy is in the presence of God.
 
As New Testament Christians we know Jesus is at the Father’s right hand, seated in glory. Jesus is our rescue story. Jesus Who turned away God’s wrath against our sin, being punished in our place, so that our whole heart rejoices in the magnificent salvation that is ours in Christ. But the fullness of joy is sustained in us by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God binds us to Jesus; keeps us from wandering away, and bars against any fatal enemy’s attack the entrance to our hearts and minds. No wonder Christians are the people of joy!
 
Mighty God, joy of the believer’s heart, thank You for Jesus—Your Son, the Mediator—Who is seated at Your right hand. Spirit of God, thank You for revealing Jesus, our joy, to us. Amen

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