I believe whatever state that we are in, that we should allow God’s joy to infiltrate our lives. David’s statement in Psalm 16:11, where he describes a “fullness of joy.”
There is a greater fullness of life available to you in God that most of us will ever experience. To experience more of God almost always requires laying down more of the things of the world. Paul said:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
But if we, today, will give a greater measure of our hearts over to God, we will find greater joy than we could have imagined experiencing this side of heaven.
May your heart be filled to the fullness today as we experience God together.
“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
In His presence is where you glorify God.
What Does It Mean to Glorify God?
It means that His presence is everywhere. This is sometimes called God’s omnipresence. Have you ever been in a place or atmosphere, where you enjoy being there where the presence was? Just like Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. Being surrounded in His presence.
Jesus has already made everything available for us to walk in the fullness of Joy. The Bible says in, Exodus 13:21-22. By day, the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
And Psalm 16:11 tells us that in the presence of God “there is fullness of joy.” Imagine what the fullness of joy looks and feels like in His presence. What would it be like to have a real encounter with the fullness of joy today? In the fullness of joy there is no sorrow, worry, doubt, no shame, or fear. In the fullness of joy there is abundant life, peace, freedom, and love. That is awesome.
Psalm 43:4 says, “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy.” Consistently encountering the presence of our heavenly Father is the sole source of “exceeding joy” on this earth. Only in spending time going to his altar will we experience the joy that is our portion. Only in his presence will the joy of the Lord truly become our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
That fullness of joy is an essential element to every believer’s life. Joy is not something we are created to live without. It is not a pursuit secondary to other pursuits. Heavenly joy is a cornerstone on which we live lives that reflect the goodness, grace, love, and reality of our heavenly Father. Joy is meant to be the mouthpiece by which we declare how wonderful a relationship with God truly is.
Jesus himself becomes our supreme treasure.” It is nothing like spending time encountering the fullness of joy that can only be found in the presence of God. Allow God to bring a radical change of new birth and repentance that positions Christ as your supreme treasure. And pursue the joy today that you might demonstrate the surpassing kindness of your heavenly Father to a world that is desperately seeking what can only be found in restored relationship with him. I believe we can be said to have fullness of joy in God if our joy in God is so full that it outweighs all other emotions, our brokenness, and all our inabilities, when we allow ourselves to overflow in love to others.
Here Are 7 Ways to Experience God’s Presence in a Powerful Way
1. Acknowledge Your Sins
When you have sin in your life, you cannot sense God’s presence because there’s something blocking the communication between the two of you. Your sensitivity to His presence might be affected by unconfessed sin in your life, and it is hard to hear him speak clearly. David, the Psalmist, said, “When I kept silent (about his sin) my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” — and you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:3-5,). First John 1:9 tells us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
2. Decree and Declare His Word Aloud
Decree and declare the word of God out loud. Speak God’s Word back to Him, you will sense its power and His presence. The Bible says God’s Word is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). That sharp sword will either make you aware of its weight or prick your heart through conviction, inspiration, or determination.
3. Praise and Worship in Song
God inhabits the praises of His people. Have you ever wondered why you sometimes feel closer to God when you are in a church service, singing hymns or praise songs? It could be because that’s where worship tends to take place. When you start praising Him, regardless of where you are, you will sense His presence, probably because you’re no longer focused on yourself, but on Him. Worship is not limited to singing, but if singing a song of praise to Him gets your mind focused on His presence, do it. When we open the door of our hearts to love Him, He will meet us there.
4. Use the Name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus because “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Say His name aloud – as the Answer to all you seek, as the Source to calm your soul, as the One whose presence you long for and you will sense the power of His presence…and His peace.
5. Speak from the Heart.
There are time’s you do not know what to say, or how to say it. Start by saying In the Name of Jesus and then speak from your heart. For me, oftentimes it’s just “Jesus, I need You” or “Jesus, give me a heart for You.” I believe the simplest of cries are the ones that penetrate His heart – and ours – the quickest.
6. Develop A Relationship with the Holy Spirit
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27) Not only does the Spirit allow us access to God through faith; He is praying for you! Our weakness will run out, but the Holy Spirit will keep going. When you fall asleep, are too weak, or just emotionally exhausted, the Spirit of God steps in and gives you the strength you need to continue in prayer.
The Holy Spirit is a gift given to live inside those who believe in Jesus. It works to produce God’s character in the life of a believer in a way that we cannot do on our own.
7. Be Still and Be at Peace
“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Have you ever considered that our relational God would rather have you spend time with Him, than do a bunch of things for Him?
