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Fullness of Joy

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. — Psalm 16:11

Psalm 16:11

She was young and pregnant and out of options. When she arrived at the home for single moms, she was not thrilled and wanted to take on the world alone. Or at least that is what she said. Beneath the façade was someone who longed for a family, a house with a yard for kids to play in, and a husband who would love her. She wanted happiness. She wanted all that the movies told her was possible.

When that story wasn’t working out the way she expected, she discovered something different. She learned that Jesus loved her and that his plan for her was different from what she had thought. She started to listen and change, and she discovered there was a difference between happiness and joy. She began to realize, as she let God lead her, that he was giving her joy. The Lord’s steadfast care and strength would get her through the days of being a single mom. It became the foundation that her new family would build on.

This is true for all of us. The more we head in the direction of faith with our eyes and heart open, asking God to guide us, the more we find joy in the Lord’s steadfast care and strength. We find encouragement to live into our real life today and to set fairytale dreams aside.

Father, thank you for show­ing us the path of life and filling us with joy. Help us to pay attention and be teachable so that we can enjoy each day with you. Amen.

Bible References

16 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

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.

Galatians 6

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

For every man shall bear his own burden.

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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Amen.

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