Reflection on “In your Presence there is Joy!” May 28, 2024
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.
And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14. When Moses led the Children of Israel from Egypt, he asked the Lord the Father to continue with them. Without God, he said he would be unable to continue without His Presence. Then our God answered Moses with the promise in Exodus 33:14.
Indeed, Isaiah 55:6 admonishes us, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.” One of the most difficult things to do for a person who seems to ‘know it all’ is to Obey His commands! In obedience, worshipping, remembering, and following Him, we will know His Presence. And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us. I John 3:23.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His Presence continually! Psalm 105:1- 4.
God’s love is steadfast. While we sleep, He continues to be with us. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3.
Long ago, a man practiced the Presence of God by praying from his heart while doing chores, listening to someone talking, and giving God the Glory. While being in a rehab area, I found this scripture that gave me joy! All I could do there were exercises. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31.
The story in the Old Testament made a profound impact on me. Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah, the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the Presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:1-3.
We know what happened. Jonah could not escape the Presence of God. According to Jonah 1:17. And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. God gave Jonah time to re-think his actions in the belly of a great fish that God created.
When we open our eyes and hearts to God, we become aware of the immensity and power of God. In the wind, in the creation of the earth, the stars, the sun, and the moon. He created man and woman, and Light first of all.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Genesis 1:1-5.
One day, I bumped into a small red pepper growing on the front porch. It was crammed with seeds inside the outer covering. In wonder, I thought about God and Creation and know God creates ways for His Creation to continue down through the years, generation after generation.
One day I asked my Mother why she loved flowers. Her answer was brief. “Because God created them!” And Mom wrote a poem, Precious Presence.
Precious Presence, we remember, All your love on Calvary’s hill; Warm us with your great compassion. Bend us to obey your will. Touch us with your love and mercy. Let us share the touch we feel; Let us hear your gentle speaking, Promised words that bless and heal.
Precious Presence, we are kneeling, Wearied of earth’s emptiness; Feed and fill us with your power, As we strive for holiness. Let us walk to gain perfection. More like Christ in every way, Till we stand in Joy before You, on that great and glorious day.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your Presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12.
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His Presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3.
Scripture is the way to know our Lord God and in doing so, we will find His Joy. Not as the world would give, but a Forever Joy in our innermost being. The world would not recognize this delightful joy in our Soul.