Experiencing Joy

Most of us have at least one person we enjoy being around. Whether we see them every day or only occasionally, the times we anticipate seeing them in person can be absolutely delightful. Our desire for relatedness, stoked by our desire to know and be known, influences the connections we make with others and often times give birth to these meaningful relationships. Maybe even now you're sitting across from, or thinking about, such a person, and if you are, you're probably smiling as well. I know; I've been there.

I thought of this as I reflected on what David was likely feeling when he wrote of God, "In thy presence is fulness of joy" (Psalm 16:11, KJV). Though Peter used this Psalm in reference to Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection (see Acts 2:25-28, KJV), for those of us who know the feeling we can agree with the Psalmist that there's a "fulness of joy" that we experience whenever we are in the presence of the Lord. This is especially so during times of individual or corporate worship. The word 'joy' in the text could also have been translated 'exceeding gladness'. Not just mere gladness, but exceeding gladness - a state of being characterized by emotions such as tears and/or laughter. Being in God's presence is our ultimate place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of our day to day living. It is the place where we can take our doubts, our fears, our anxieties, and our burdens, and leave with not only His peace, but also His joy.

Though all humanity is in His presence, God invites the believer into a more personal realm of intimacy and it is this realm that I believe David was talking about. The beauty in all this is that we can enter into it from anywhere. Being stuck in traffic, being in a lineup, sitting at our desks, it really doesn't matter. There is no need for the child of God to walk around joyless. Just thinking about Him, who He is, what He had done for us, and the hope we have in Him through Christ Jesus, should provoke unspeakable joy (2 Peter 1:8, KJV). If we are able to get to that point in our thoughts, can you imagine what it would be like to enter more intimately into His presence?

Some might argue that things and circumstances kill our joy at times; however, as Oswald Chambers reminds us, "Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not." In other words, no matter the circumstances, we can have joy (see James 1:2-4). I struggle with that at time until I remember being in His presence makes all the difference.

"In thy presence is fulness of joy." Have you experienced that with Him lately?