June 9th, 2025
Rediscovering Joy in God's Presence
Psalm 16:1-11
Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you. 2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you.” 3 As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones. All my delight is in them. 4 The sorrows of those who take another god
for themselves will multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
and I will not speak their names with my lips. 5 Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me—even at night when my thoughts trouble me. 8 I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely. 10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay. 11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you. 2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you.” 3 As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones. All my delight is in them. 4 The sorrows of those who take another god
for themselves will multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
and I will not speak their names with my lips. 5 Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me—even at night when my thoughts trouble me. 8 I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely. 10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay. 11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Joy is not the absence of difficulty, but the presence of God in our struggles. As we read this Psalm, we're reminded that true joy comes from being in God's presence. David declares, "in your presence there is fullness of joy" (v.11). Today, reflect on times when you've felt God's presence most strongly. How did it impact your joy? Even in challenging circumstances, God is with us. Pray for a renewed awareness of His presence in your daily life, and ask Him to restore the joy of your salvation.
Posted in Daily Devos