“You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11
Pleasure is in God’s plan for humankind. In fact, God is moving us toward a destiny of pleasure and joy. Jesus is preparing a home for all who belong to him through faith (John 14:2), and, according to our reading today, that will be a place of joy where we experience “eternal pleasures” at God’s right hand!
The day is coming, says the Bible, when we will never again hunger or thirst, or experience the sun’s scorching heat beating down on us. Instead, our Shepherd will lead us to springs of living water, and God will wipe every tear from our eyes (see Revelation 7:16-17). God’s will for our lives today and God’s future for us in heaven is a life of joy!
Sometimes even believers’ lives seem to reflect the sadness, fear, anxiety, and judgment of hell more than the joy of heaven. Maybe that’s why the world sometimes thinks of the church as a strict, unwelcoming, judgmental place where the last thing people would expect to find is joy.
But as the Holy Spirit continues to develop joy within us, other people will begin to see that joy as well. This is God’s intent for us! Our faces will be brighter, our scowl lines will diminish, and our eyes will shine with the joy of Christ’s love radiating from deep within us.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for preparing a place of eternal joy and pleasure for us. May that heavenly destiny increasingly be a part of our life here on earth! For your sake, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
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