Joy is not something most, including myself, are very good at possessing, living in, or enjoying on a consistent basis. It is often something dependent on our mood, last paycheck, or amount of food in our bellies. This is especially true in our current economic climate and uncertain times and yet, everywhere I have turned recently the Lord has been speaking to me about His joy. He has been consistently reminding me that it is not an emotion, rather, it is a choice. So, in an effort to learn more about this all too ambiguous choice, emotion, feeling (what is it again?!) I have decided to role up my sleeves and dive into His word and see what "His word" is on the subject. I immediately came across a scripture tucked away in the all too often unturned pages of the old testament (there's two?) where David is commenting on this very subject. Actually, it's more like he is exclaiming or proclaiming it reads:
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength
and joy are in His place.
1 Chronicles 16:27
This was a big find. I finally found the location of joy-- in His place or presence. Okay, okay I had read that fullness of joy was in His presence (see Psalm 16:11) before but never had it "clicked" like this. For the first time I realized that whenever I am feeling a little empty or weak I know right where to go to get strength and joy! In His place! Further, I realized (or the Holy Spirit told me) that David's revelation of God's presence revealed a part of God's nature. This is old covenant stuff we're talking about here which further blew me away because traditionally speaking the priest was the only one who had access to God's presence (and that was only once a year!) and yer, David is talking about "God's place" as if he'd been there-- because he had (see all of Psalm)! Pretty coolthuh? If this is availible for an old covenant king how much more is available to to new covenant believers who have been granted unlimited, 24-hour access to the King's throne (see Ephesian 2:6, were already there!)?! So go ahead, don't be afraid to get a little joy from the presence and place of the One who created it!
