Joy and More in God's Presence

Psalm 16:11

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

In the presence of the Lord there is:

• Joy
• Peace
• Contentment
• Calm
• Assurance

What the Lord can give us in His presence we will never feel even in the presence of our husband or wife or our very best friend. 

A few years ago, my husband and I happened to be in Washington D.C. during National Police Week. We watched the National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service ceremony. It commemorated police officers who had been killed in the line of duty the previous year. President Trump and Vice President Pence both spoke during the ceremony. I recall the president saying that police officers are the "thin blue line between civilization and chaos."

Although we were near the back of the crowd of police officers and their family members, I thought it was neat to be in the presence of both the President and Vice President of the United States. 

But I did not feel in their presence what I feel in God's presence. Maybe there is someone you admire and you think it would be the ultimate experience to be able to meet them and be in their presence. But regardless of who that person is, he or she will not be able to ease your anxiety when you are stressed like God can. They won't be able to bring a lighthearted, joyous feeling to your heart like you will experience when you sing unto the Lord. They will not be able to lift you up and renew your faith when you are down, restore your hope, and offer you a fresh start the way Jesus can. Only God can do these things when we enter His presence!

What do you need today? Take some time to pray, to seek the Lord, to worship Him, to get your priorities readjusted. In His presence is fullness of joy!