Pastor column: In Your presence is fullness of joy

There’s an old saying that says, “All roads lead to Rome.” Many mistakenly think this principle also applies to spiritual destinations, mistakenly believing “all paths lead to God.” But this is not what the Bible teaches.

The scripture clearly teaches that the way to God is singular. In Psalm 16, David writes, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (vs. 11).

God wants to direct and guide your life. David clearly states “You [God] will show me.” The question is do you want to know His direction for your life? What happens when we try to determine our own course of life? Proverbs 14:12 state: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end is the way of death.”

God clearly offers us the path of life through His Son Jesus Christ, and you can’t begin the journey if you don’t come to Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but through Me” (John 14:6).

The benefits of God’s path: “In Your presence is fullness of joy." First, the source of joy is revealed “in Your presence.” God offers us the fullness of joy − His presence − to have fellowship with Him. This was the reason Jesus came and died that we might be reconciled back to God.

Secondly, abundance is revealed: "There is fullness of joy." Jesus said, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10). God has promised us that by living in fellowship with Him through Jesus will produce in us the fullness of joy!

Joy begins in your relationship with God

You see your joy doesn’t originate around your circumstances but in the relationship you have with God through Christ and as such you experience “at God’s right hand are pleasures forevermore.” What God offers you through Christ has permanency. He says they are pleasures forever!

So many people think God doesn’t want them to enjoy life. We’re to survive this life − to live a dull and dreary existence. But the reality is just the opposite. God wants us to thrive − to live life that is full of joy and the pleasures He desires for us.

Where then can we find real joy? The answer is simple − in Christ alone. How about you, who is the source of your joy? And do you really have joy?

Remember David’s words, “At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The real path of life, the fullness of joy and the real pleasures forevermore can be found in God through His Son Jesus Christ. Come to Jesus, accept Him and make Him Lord and Savior of your life.

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: God offers us the path of life where we can find real joy