September 10, 2023 -- Psalm 16:11 -- The only place you'll find lasting, deep, ever-growing joy.

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

You make known to me the path of life;
   in your presence there is fullness of joy;
   at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV

Perhaps the words of Psalm 16 quoted for us here today seem a bit over the top? Who would have such delight in the LORD? Who can really have such fullness of joy? G. K. Chesterton noted “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”

Test the LORD on His promises of fullness of joy and finding pleasures by living at His right hand. Get up. Get to church. Spend time in the glorious presence of our God and King. Ask the Holy Spirit, Who from eternity has delighted in Jesus the Son and in the Father, to give you delight in the path of life which is walking with Jesus. This is not asking for obedience for the sake of getting God to like you. No! Ask the Spirit to give you such a deep relationship with the Living Jesus that you will be overwhelmed with the knowledge of the Father's deep and abiding love given to you in Jesus and obedience will then be the only response of your heart and mind, and it will be offered with joy and thankfulness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. With the Psalmist we declare: “Your are my Lord, I have no good thing apart from You!” Mighty Father send Your Spirit so that Jesus will be our soul’s delight and walking in His ways will be easy because it is the path to ever deeper relationship with Him. Let the truth of Your word be fulfilled in our lives like a tide coming in so more of Your righteousness and gladness spill into our lives because we know Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/pTTlSx6zXio?si=8L17WKAztjC998rR “Knowing You, Jesus”

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