Joy for the Journey

Psalm 16:11 KJV 1900

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

We have read from a Psalm of David in which he despaired of his enemies and looked to God for deliverance and preservation.

David knew much about persecution and difficulty and he had learned to trust the Lord.

In this particular psalm, David was already looking toward and rejoicing in the coming of Christ.

Verses 8–10 deal specifically with the resurrection of our Lord

This cannot be doubted when we consider that Peter preached this passage at Pentecost, Acts 2:25–31.

Paul also quoted this psalm in regard to the resurrection of Christ, Acts 13:35–37.

Many scholars agree that V. 11, our text verse, deals with the ascension of Jesus Christ.

In light of the preceding verses, I have no problem with that line of thought.

As believers in the Lord, we have received the assurance that He has already walked the path we must take when He calls for us when this life is through.

(I rejoice that we do not have to walk a path of uncertainty, and we do not have to walk the path of life alone.)

In light of that, I do believe that there is a practical application in this verse for our daily lives as well.

As Christ walked this earth, He lived in absolute harmony with God the Father.

Their fellowship was never hindered by sin or disobedience.

As followers of Christ, we are to imitate the life He lived.

We will never reach the place that we can live above sin, but the Scriptures confirm that we can have joy in the journey.

I. The Journey

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

What can we discover about this journey we are all on?

A. It is a Particular Path

—David begins this thought considering the journey in which he travels.

It may not have always been easy, but it was his to travel.

This was a journey that began many years ago for him.

He was but a boy, tending his father’s sheep, when the Lord placed a high and holy calling on his life.

David did not follow a swift path to the throne of Israel, but it was certainly a particular and definite path.

I’m sure there were times when David grew weary, but he knew he was walking in the will of God.

The path that we travel is similar in many ways.

Often our journey with the Lord takes some unexpected turns, but we can rest assured that God has a path for us to travel.

He has a plan for our lives and we must continue in His way through obedience and submission.

2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV 1900

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Be content to walk the path He has chosen for you.

B. It is a Plain Path

—Thou wilt shew me the path of life.

David did not worry whether God would direct his path.

He was not concerned with wandering aimlessly or losing his way.

He was confident that God would be there to guide him and show him the way he should travel.

Many today worry about “finding” the will of God for their lives.

They wonder if they have made the right decisions, if they have traveled the right path.

I’m sure there have times of decision in your life when you stood at a crossroads and wondered which path to take.

Really that is needless worry for the children of God.

The phrase Thou wilt shew has the idea of “knowing, perceiving, or distinguishing.”

We too can claim this promise and have full assurance that God will lead us and show us the path He desires for us.

Psalm 32:8 KJV 1900

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Isaiah 48:17 KJV 1900

Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, Which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Often it is impatience on our part rather than silence from God.

Wait upon the Lord and He shall direct thy paths!

C. It is a Prosperous Path

David knew that God would show him the path of life.

This speaks of “the living, lively, active, or reviving.”

It was used to speak of a garden that was “lush and green” or a stream that was “flowing.”

David knew that God would lead in the path of life.

Many today are on a path of death and destruction.

Their lives are heading nowhere and devastation looms.

For the Christian there is hope in the path of life.

This life that we travel through down here is but a vapor; we are just pilgrims and strangers headed to that glorious homeland of the soul.

God’s path is never a path of death and defeat.

His paths are always full of abundant life.

We have hope and life in His ways!

II. The Joy

—in thy presence is fulness of joy.

David now focuses on the joy that is found in the Lord.

Notice what this reveals concerning joy.

A. It is Available

Clearly David is speaking from experience.

He knew what it was to experience the joy of the Lord.

This was not something he had heard of and wondered about.

It wasn’t something that others possessed, but he never had.

David had joy in the Lord.

That confirms a simple truth to me that joy is available in the Lord if we will only seek it.

There is absolutely no reason for a child of God to live life without joy.

It is available in the Lord.

John 15:11 KJV 1900

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

If you are not experiencing joy, it isn’t the Lord’s fault.

He desires to direct our paths and walk with us in such a way that we experience real joy.

B. It is Abundant

—In God there is fullness of joy.

This has the idea of “abundant, satisfying, literally saturated with.”

David declared that he was consumed and filled with the joy of God.

His joy was so abundant that it superseded all other emotions.

He was so full of God’s joy that the cares of life seemed to fade away.

In God there was peace and joy that the world could not take away!

Many confuse joy with happiness.

These are similar, but they are also quite different.

Happiness depends largely upon outward circumstances.

Joy is settled deep within and isn’t dictated by circumstances or situations.

Like David, we can be in the midst of a battle and still experience full joy.

C. It is Absolute

—in thy presence is fulness of joy.

David realized that regardless of circumstances, he experienced a fullness of joy in God’s presence.

When he got near to the Lord, he couldn’t help but be joyful.

There is a great lesson to be learned here.

We need to comprehend that being in God’s presence will assure that fullness of joy.

Many times we lack joy because we lack God’s presence.

The only way to enjoy God’s presence is to have full fellowship with Him.

We cannot allow sin to build up and remain in our lives and expect to have real joy.

If you are seeking joy, seek the Lord. If you want to know what real joy consists of, seek the presence of God.

D. It is Adequate

—We can also discover that David was no longer consumed with his troubles and difficulties.

The problems of life have taken a back seat to the abundant joy of being in the presence of God.

His focus is now on the Lord and clearly he is in an attitude of worship.

I can assure you, the abundant joy that is found in the Lord will satisfy the longing in your soul.

When we enter His presence, there is nothing lacking.

There is a peace and contentment that does not require anything else.

I have been in His presence a few times in my Christian journey, and I can tell you that I desired nothing else.

In fact, I felt as if I never wanted that moment to end.

God gives joy that is real and full.

III. The Jubilation

—at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

As David pondered his path and experienced abundant joy in the Lord, his heart was filled with jubilation.

Being near to God brought pleasure to him.

Lastly, let’s consider what is involved with spiritual jubilation.

It involves:

A. A Particular Place

—David was well aware that the joy and peace in his life was found only at the Lord’s right hand.

He had certainly endured his share of difficulty, but I am sure being anointed king over Israel had ensured certain benefits that few others enjoyed.

All of that paled in comparison to what he experienced in God’s presence.

David knew that if he was to be satisfied spiritually, he would need to be near to God.

This is a simple truth, but why do we seem to ignore it?

We all have things in life that we enjoy, but nothing satisfies that deep longing except a right relationship with Christ our Savior.

There is no need to search for peace and contentment in the world.

Real joy and satisfaction is only found at the Lord’s right hand.

There are countless people around the world searching for something in life to fill that void they carry deep within.

It will never be filled apart from Christ! If you need peace, run to Jesus.

B. A Profound Pleasure

—at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

This wasn’t something that David had to endure.

This wasn’t a burden or a hardship for him.

He had found genuine pleasure in his life while he was near to God.

David’s pleasure was not of a sensual or physical nature; it was spiritual and whole.

This has the idea of “pleasant, delightful, or agreeable.”

Take just a moment to consider all that David had faced.

He was anointed king while Saul still occupied the throne.

Much of his life was lived on the run from Saul and then later from his own son, Absalom.

However, in God’s presence there was pleasure, delight, and agreement.

He had found the place he longed for.

There is nothing like the pleasure that Jesus gives.

Much of what the world offers is sinful, and temporary at best.

There is pleasure in the Lord that remains regardless of circumstances.

C. A Precious Promise

—This wasn’t something that David was allowed to enjoy for a season in life.

He realized that the pleasures that God gives are for evermore.

God’s love and presence in our lives isn’t wavering and unpredictable.

We have the assurance that His blessing and promises are sure.

I don’t know of anything the world has to offer that could possibly compare with that which God promises to those who belong to Him.

We can claim that promise right now, today!

He wants us to enjoy this life as we walk with Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV 1900

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

We also have the assurance that the pleasures of God extend beyond the grave.

John 14:2–3 KJV 1900

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Revelation 22:5 KJV 1900

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Are you on that journey with the Lord tonight?

Christian are you traveling the path that God planned for you?

Are you experiencing abundant joy in the Lord?

If not, how long has it been since you enjoyed God’s presence?

That is where real joy is found.

Are you able to rejoice in your soul because of what Christ has done for you?

There is hope and joy in the Lord in this life and the life to come.

If your heart is not right with the Lord, you are lacking.

If you have never been saved, the temporal pleasures of this life are all the pleasure you will enjoy.

Why not seek the Lord and His help today?