February 24: “In His Presence” by Kathy Owen
Psalm 16:11 “...In Your presence is fullness of joy...”
When I begin work with a new client, I want to know her goal for our work together. The most frequent answer is, “I just want to be happy.” Perhaps largely because of the influence of emotionalism, many people have come to believe they should never experience painful emotions. This is simply not realistic or true.
Painful emotions are a part of life because all of creation has been touched by sin. Sometimes the pain is the result of a natural disaster, sometimes it is caused by another person, or it may be the consequence of one’s own poor choices. Pain will come but we need not despair.
In the Psalms, David, who was called “a man after God’s own heart,” expressed both the heights and the depths of human emotion. As he poured out his heart to the Lord, his pain and joy were often juxtaposed. How was this possible? David had learned the secret of having joy in difficult times. And he shared that secret with us in Psalm 16:11.
But what is joy? Many people think of joy as an emotion or a feeling. To them, joy is like happiness on steroids. I would propose that joy is actually a character trait, not an emotion. In Galatians 5, Paul gives a simple but profound list of nine qualities that are the marks of Christian character. Joy is one of those marks that together are known as the fruit of the Spirit. These qualities are evidence of a life that belongs to Jesus—a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit. How do you cultivate this fruit of the Spirit in your own life? David’s secret is in Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”
Let that sink in for a moment. The key to experiencing joy during difficulty is to simply, but steadfastly, remain in communion with the Lord. This means spending time with Him, learning to recognize His voice, and reading His word. It means being with Him, not just going to Him with your requests. As my favorite devotional author, Oswald Chambers, wrote, “It’s not God’s promises we need, it is God Himself.”
As we end this week of focus on our faith and our emotions, I hope you are ready to make a fresh commitment to spending time at the feet of Jesus. In His presence, your heart is well guarded, turned towards Him for safety and direction. In His presence, you are protected from anxiety, depression, anger, and the hurtful ways that so often result from those harmful emotions. In His presence, you will find fullness of joy—the fruit of the Holy Spirit who empowers you to live the righteous and joyful life God desires.
Father, thank You for the invitation to come into Your presence. Teach me all that I need to live a life that is rooted and grounded in Your love. Amen.
