Scripture Reading

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Insight on the Word

Fullness of joy is not an automatic state of the heart of the believer. Joy becomes full as we live in obedience to God as Christ did. Jesus said: “I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” Joy is full when we know that God always hears our prayers, just as He always heard Jesus’ prayers. “And I knew that thou hearest me always:” (John 11:42)

It was Christ desire that “his” joy might be “our” joy. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you.,” In fact Christ desires that the whole world might “have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13) The fulness of joy that Christ brings is not given by the world therefore as Christ promised “your joy no man taketh from you.” (John 16:22)

The truth is our joy is directly related to our obedience to God. As we keep His commandments we “abide in His love.” As we hear and heed the things spoken by God joy has an uninterrupted flow in our hearts. We ask and we receive and our joy is full. (John 16:24) Each and every day we determine to walk in God’s path of life and walking with Him, enjoying His presence, there is “fulness of joy.”

Speak the Word — I live in God’s presence, I have fullness of joy! (Psalms 16:11)

Daily Bible Reading — Judges 13 – 15