Joy is Here
Week One: In His Presence
Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Maybe you’re in a season where joy feels distant. Maybe you’ve postponed it until the diagnosis changes, the relationship shifts, the finances stabilize, or the loneliness eases. But what if joy isn’t waiting on the other side of change? What if joy is found in the quiet whisper of the name of Jesus?
Oh, pull up a chair to the banqueting table. Let’s dine in the presence of the Lord. Because Psalm 16 tells us that His presence is where fullness of joy lives and pleasures forevermore.
Let me ask you a couple of questions. What causes you to have an outburst of joy?
Or maybe the better question is, when was the last time you had one?
If you haven’t listened to the podcast from this past week, I shared more about this there, but for the next six weeks, we’re going to be intentional. We’re going to add joy back into our lives and we’re pairing that with scripture memorization, beginning with Psalm 16:11.
Now, I’ll be honest, I’m predisposed to being a happy person. You know the happy coworker who laughs loud and sings down the hallway. That’s me. I’m going to enjoy life, people and have fun. Especially as an oncology nurse, it was important to me to bring joy into the room. Not just because it was my personality but because I was bringing Jesus with me. And when you bring Jesus into the room, you bring hope, light and His presence. Joy is a choice, even in the middle of what is not joyous.
As a single mom for many years, when my son was little, I would wake in the night, and fear or anxiety would try to creep in. I didn’t always know what I needed in those moments. But I knew Who I needed, so I would whisper, “Jesus” or I would whisper scripture. And even when I didn’t have the perfect prayer, I knew He would be my peace. My defender. My strength. My strong tower. And sleep would come.
My son is grown now and wow, life has changed. But even though sleepless nights still happen from time to time, I still whisper Jesus into the stillness. He has been my faithful Father, my forever Friend, my wise Counselor and my constant source of joy.
“You are the source of my strength.
You are the strength of my life.
I lift my hands in total praise to You.”
Oh, what a beautiful worship song. And let me tell you how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Today, I opened my study Bible to Psalm 16 and noticed a 2019 date written beside verse 11. So, I went back and found my journal entry from that day. And there it was, those exact words, written about how I wanted to run to His strength and His healing every day. Isn’t that just like the Lord? Faithful to constantly remind us of what He’s been building in us all along.
So, over the next six weeks, we are going to intentionally raise the joy temperature in our lives through scripture and small celebrations, even outbursts of joy or loud singing.
Everything may not be perfect. Life may not feel light right now. But maybe, wherever you are in this moment, you simply need to whisper the name of Jesus.
Joy is Here!
Reflection
Do I truly believe that God Himself is the source of my joy or am I still looking to circumstances, people, or outcomes to give me what only His presence can?
What would shift in my heart if I saw time with God as the place where fullness of joy and lasting pleasure are found?
Prayer
Father, thank you for drawing me into your presence and experience joys with you. Even before my circumstances or situation shifts center me on the truth of your word. Fill my cup till it overflows from you. Teach me to experience joy with You and help me to dine at your table where goodness is found.
Amen.