FULLNESS OF JOY
Today’s Reading: Psalms 15-17
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Belvoir Fortress was constructed by the Crusaders 1,000 years ago on a precipice high above the Jordan Valley. This location is only about 20 kilometres south of the Sea of Galilee and looks across into Jordan.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
YES!!! IT’S TRUE!!! Right now we can experience that “fulness of joy!” and the pleasures that are at His “right hand!” Just think of the amazing honour to be able, by God’s grace, to do as Psalm 15 instructs us.
The Apostle Peter is a participant in today’s blog. Here’s a commentary on Psalm 16 by Peter, given in the first recorded message he preached on the birthday of the Church on the streets of Jerusalem. Let’s read together Acts 2:22-32. Jesus is alive!!! Then let’s read again our key verse. If we are not finding in Jesus the “joy” spoken of in our key verse, we should check our pulses…we may be dead!
Psalm 17 has in it the words, “apple of Your eye.” That’s God’s eye to which David refers in his prayer. Just think how careful we are to protect our eyes. David prayed, “keep me as the apple of Your eye.” Now that’s protection! That’s the best security we could ever have! YES!!! JOY!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray with the writer of this prayer, David (a suggestion to everybody – read and pray out loud, if possible, the following verses…Psalm 17:1-8). Then, Lord, I am confessing with full assurance of faith, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (17:15). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I accept and believe God’s Truth! The Apostle John wrote three letters to us all. He begins the first letter with, “These things we write to you [you and me] that your joy may be full!” (1st John 1:4). Then in chapter 3 of that letter, verses 1-3 (click here), John declares that, “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Oh, the longing that filled my heart as a 16-year-old as I learned and sang the chorus, “O to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer…Come in Thy sweetness. Come in Thy fullness, stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.” I weep with joy as I sing this prayer just now. I can hardly see the keys for tears. The English language fails me in expressing what is in my heart. Therefore, I’m praying, as Paul said he did, “I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding!” (1 Corinthians 14:15). That refers to my spirit. According to the Scriptures, I am “spirit, soul and body.” Here’s a link to that song of longing to be like Jesus.
Yours for “Fullness of Joy!”
David
The moat around the Belvoir Fortress (described in the photo caption above). According to the Shepherd king David, we have much greater security than a castle with a moat around it! Amen!!!
David, your words to-day are a real blessing! God has used you to shine as a bright star among us pointing us to Jesus! Thank you.
Amen!
Yes what a joy to lean into His presence- to know ones sins are forgiven and that we are ‘ the apple of His eye!!
To have ‘ His image stamped on my heart’ is my greatest desire! Thankyou for four wonderful days of ministry this past weekend – the joy of the Lord residing in you despite your illness and weakened state shines forth as a bright light and is contagious to all! May the great physician continue to touch and heal your body and that JOY be your strength!
Amen!
Amen and amen. Bless all of you today.
Amen, David! Thanks for the link to that song! Praying for you, this morning, that you continue to recover and rest well, in the healing arms of Jesus! Yes, we call on you, our God, for you will answer us; turn your ear to us and hear our prayers. Show us the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep us as the apple of your eye; hide us in the shadow of your wings. We praise You, Lord–You, alone on high. For all Your glory and majesty–we witness to Your Holy Name! Blessings dearest saints!
O to be like Thee (lyrics)
O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinners to find.
O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.
O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive th’ anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing;
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.
O to be like Thee! While I am pleading
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love.
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit for a life which Thou wouldst approve.
Thank you for the words to the hymn, you frequently write them out for us, I really appreciate your efforts each time.
You’re so sweet, Mary. It is no problem for me to do a search, find the lyrics or link to a song, and copy and paste to the blog. I am happy to provide.
Wow–beautiful!!!
You Are My Joy – worship song by Mike Winger with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBkHAnYUylA
Good Morning! God Bless everyone today. It amazes me the parallels of David’s writings with the life of Christ, sometimes it is impossible to tell if he is speaking of himself or of his Redeemer,
“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
2 He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;”
I find it fascinating, and so inspiring!
How precious is the message today! Prayed Psalms 17:1-8 out loud twice and that is a good one to memorize. Shed a few tears when played “Oh to be like Thee.” Going to refer others to the song you linked to friends on Facebook. God bless you David and family.
Yes, “O to be like Him”!!! Rejoicing with you Rev. David. “Joy unspeakable and full of Glory”!!!
Safe in the Palm of His Hand!!!” “As the apple of His Eye”!!!
Dear Lord touch David Mainse and heal him and give him Your strength to complete his task before him in Jesus name Amen
Amen!
And amen!
And amen again!
Amen and Amen!!
AMEN!
Blessings everyone 🙂