Psalm 16:11 
You reveal the path of life to me; 
in your presence is abundant joy; 
at your right hand are eternal pleasures. (CSB)

You will show me the way of life, 
granting me the joy of your presence 
and the pleasures of living with you forever. (NLT)

—

Deep-seated joy, the condition of our hearts that sends songs into the world, arrives when we realize it is not something we seek so much as the presence of God himself as he seeks, saves, and sends us.  

Joy operates from a place of soul satisfaction. 

Joy is the experience of more than enough. 

Joy is the condition of overflowing abundance. 

Recognizing the presence and purpose of joy turns it around and sends it along to those souls bent down with more than they can bear. It lightens loads. It relieves burdens. It replaces pain with praise. 

Joy is not bound by moments. Instead, it transcends the times and spaces of life. It endures seasons. It outlasts the good times and the bad. 

Joy is with us all along our journeys. It is a present promise of coming delight. It is pinprick light in the dark night of our souls, reminding us, assuring us, of Greater Light on the other side of the encircling drapery. 

Joy empowers songs in the night, songs on the drive, songs in our work. Joy sings its presence. Even croaking voices gain smiles when joy is their mode. 

Our Father in Heaven gives us the joy of his presence, a pathway to walk, and the pleasure of his company now and forever. No wonder there are so many hymns and carols. How else could we express the goodness of God generation after generation? 

—

I will live, work, and play in the presence of the Lord our God, our single source of joy.

—

Our Father, how great is our joy! You enrich our lives with your presence and purpose. There is no greater pleasure than knowing you in a deepening and abiding relationship across the seasons of our lives. Amen.