Psalm 16:1-11
GET THIS: True joy grows invincible in the fertile soil of God’s presence—where we stand because of Jesus.
The Fertile Soil of God’s Presence (verses 1-10)
Do You Long For Safety? We find it in the presence of God (v1-2)
Do You Long For Your Needs to Be Met? We find Sovereign Supply in the presence of God (v5-6)
Do You Long To Experience Stability? We find that in the presence of God (v7-8)
Do You Long For Security? We find it in the presence of God (v9-10)
(Verses 3-4: The Binary Reality of Where Joy Is Found? We find it ONLY in the presence of God)
Defining Joy According To God
World, death, devil, hell, away and leave me in peace! You have no hold on me. If you will not let me live, then I will die. But you won’t succeed in that. Chop my head off, and it won’t harm me. I have a God who will give me a new one. —-Martin Luther
Biblical joy is more than a happy feeling. It’s a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill his promises. —-The Bible Project
Joy is the expansion of faith in the objective reality that for the true child of God there is a happy place that can never be lost or stolen or removed! And that happy place is the forever presence of the living God. Both experienced in our today and promised for our tomorrow.
Other Scriptures: Luke 21:16-18; 2 Corinthians 6:10
The Blossoming of Invincible Joy (verse 11)
Read Psalm 16:11
Other Scriptures: Luke 2:10-11
Apply This To Your Life
Choose to engage and embrace the presence of God!
David says things like, “my chosen portion” and “i have set the Lord always before me”
[1] Slow Down (you’re a human being, not a human doing).
Be present. Ground yourself.
[2]Listen (with your soul and mind and body).
Embrace silence. Read Contemplatively.
[3]Talk with Him (as with a friend, face to face)
Talk about your doubts and dreams and kids and work and fears and excitements.
[4]Walk with Him (your True North)
Go with Him into your places and spaces! Value being with Jesus over doing for Jesus!
And Might Invincible Joy Grow Within Us In The Presence of God!
If you examine health soil, you’ll find a lot of elements: the right minerals, organic matter, water, oxygen, microorganisms…
And as Psalm 16 examines the soil of God’s presence, we find safety, supply, stability, and security. All perfectly present in Jesus! And Invincible Joy Blossoms in The Soil!
And Christmas reminds us that the soil of God’s presence is with us! Because—in Jesus—God put on skin and dwelt among us! So, Christian, keep planting yourself there!!!
Take Time To Reflect
(1) Where and/or why are you struggling to know true joy in the current season of life?
(2) What practices/habits/experiences aid you in sensing the real presence of God?
(3) When have you experienced the true joy of the Lord while in the midst of less than ideal circumstances?
GET THIS: True joy grows invincible in the fertile soil of God’s presence—where we stand because of Jesus.