“You will SHOW ME the PATH OF LIFE (chaya’: everlasting life, “Daniel, servant of the living God” (DAN. 6:20)); In Your presence is FULLNESS OF JOY; At Your right hand are PLEASURES FOREVERMORE.” (Psalms 16:11)
THREE VERY ASTONISHING ITEMS ARE INTRODUCED TO US HERE:
- THE PATH OF LIFE: How wonderful to be reminded that not only is God LEADING US, but He will BE WITH US in every new place He leads us to. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, YOU WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; If you REMAIN in me and MY WORDS REMAIN IN YOU, ask whatever you wish, and IT WILL BE DONE FOR YOU…I have told you this so that MY JOY may be IN YOU and that YOUR JOY may be COMPLETE (plēroō: to fill to the top).” (John 15:5-7, 11)
- THE 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. “I will go to the altar of God, To God MY EXCEEDING (extraordinary) JOY; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.” (Psa. 43:4) 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. When God gives the radical change of new birth and repentance, Jesus Himself becomes our supreme, ultimate treasure.
- PLEASURES FOREVERMORE: We often think that something we discipline ourselves to do has greater virtue than something we desire. Accordingly, we think that Christians must deny themselves pleasure in order to please God. In reality, the greatest pleasures human beings can experience are found in KNOWING AND OBEYING GOD. How do we measure the value of something in our life? It is most often measured by how much pleasure it gives us. The intensity of the joy we feel is the measure of its value. The strength of our delight, the superlatives we use to describe how something delights and thrills us shows its value to us. The treasure of God’s wonderful being is most glorified through our pleasure and DELIGHT INHIM.
-Bill Stockham