You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11
Sometimes you may feel that there is nothing joyful about a particular situation. However, if you take a step back and look deeper, God can restore your joy.
We’ve all had situations, moments, and deep regret that have turned our joy to sorrow. It’s what you do in those circumstances that determines your attitude and the direction you take.
If you look deep enough, you will find spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials. The promise of joy is only found when you choose to be in His presence. Psalm 63 was written by David while in a wilderness experience—a position of disfavor. At the time, David was separated from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, but he still cultivated fellowship with God, found delight in Him, and experienced joy.
Joyful living comes when you look to Him and take your eyes off your disappointment to focus on what He wants to teach you through the experience.
I want to give you two steps to seeking joy from Psalm 63.
First, earnestly seek God. “O God You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory” (Psalm 63:1-2).
In the Hebrew, “earnestly” (shachar) means to seek early, diligently, and at bedtimes. Seek Him when you rise and when you lay your head down at night. Desire a deep longing to read His Word. Then, when you enter this sanctuary place, filled with quiet rest, you will experience joy unspeakable.
Secondly, find satisfaction in God. “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips” (Psalm 63:3-5).
Why is David’s soul satisfied?
His soul is satisfied because God quenched David’s thirst with the presence of God.
In whatever situation you find yourself, if you will earnestly seek Him, He will disclose Himself to you. Joy will come when you no longer fear man, but find satisfaction in God’s view of you—loved, forgiven, and chosen.
Joy is a choice you need to deliberately make.
No one can choose joy for you. Only you get to make the decision to be joyful in any situation as you look in the fullness of His presence.
Journeying with Him,