Topical Bible: Joy: Fulness of, in God's Presence

◄ Joy: Fulness of, in God's Presence ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of joy, particularly the fullness of joy found in God's presence, is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures. This joy is not merely an emotional response but a deep, abiding sense of well-being and contentment that stems from a relationship with the Creator. It is a joy that transcends circumstances and is rooted in the eternal nature of God Himself.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently associates joy with the presence of God. In Psalm 16:11, the psalmist declares, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." This verse encapsulates the essence of joy as being intimately connected with God's presence. The psalmist recognizes that true joy is found not in worldly pursuits but in the divine presence of the Lord.

Old Testament Insights

Throughout the Old Testament, the presence of God is depicted as a source of joy and strength for His people. In Nehemiah 8:10, the people of Israel are reminded, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." This joy is portrayed as a sustaining force, empowering believers to endure trials and challenges. The joy of the Lord is not dependent on external circumstances but is a gift that comes from being in communion with God.

The prophets also speak of this joy. Isaiah 12:3 proclaims, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Here, joy is linked to the salvation and deliverance that God provides, emphasizing that it is in His saving acts that His people find their deepest joy.

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the theme of joy in God's presence is further developed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself embodies the fullness of joy, as seen in His relationship with the Father. In John 15:11, Jesus tells His disciples, "I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." The joy that Jesus offers is complete and perfect, rooted in the love and unity He shares with the Father.

The apostle Paul also speaks of this joy in his epistles. In Philippians 4:4, he exhorts believers to "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" This command to rejoice is grounded in the believer's relationship with Christ, who is ever-present and ever-faithful. Paul's own life, marked by suffering and hardship, is a testament to the sustaining power of joy found in God's presence.

Eternal Joy

The fullness of joy in God's presence is not only a present reality but also a future promise. Revelation 21:3-4 paints a picture of the ultimate fulfillment of this joy: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.'" In the new creation, the presence of God will be fully realized, and His people will experience unending joy.

Practical Implications

For believers today, the fullness of joy in God's presence is both a present experience and a future hope. It calls for a life of worship, gratitude, and trust in God's promises. Engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation on Scripture, and communal worship can help cultivate an awareness of God's presence and the joy that accompanies it. This joy serves as a testimony to the world of the transformative power of a life lived in communion with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for ever more.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Consciousness of God's Presence.
... Glory be to God! To possess the divine presence in its fulness is not the end of
the ... land of "eternal weights of glory" or the regions where "joy is unspeakable ...
/.../consciousness of gods presence.htm

Religious Joy.
... Christ, already the first-fruits of our race, God and man ... here, and (if we be found
faithful) the fulness of it ... things be so, surely the lesson of joy which the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvii religious joy.htm

God with Us, and we with God
... have set the Lord always before my face': 'Before Thy face is fulness of joy.' The
other ... First, life here may be God's presence with us, to make us steadfast ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/god with us and we.htm

My Brethren.
... How little reality we possess of all this! And yet He wants us to enjoy it as He
enjoys the fulness of joy in His Father's and His God's own presence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/my brethren.htm

Seventh Lesson. How Much More the Holy Spirit;
... and plans; if he is to have his highest joy in the ... to stream into us and out from
us in greater fulness. ... lead into all truth, to make each word of God ours in ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/seventh lesson how much more.htm

Victory Found
... life and message, I came to seek very definitely for the fulness of the ... have been
years of blessed fellowship with Christ and of joy in his ... God's Presence=. ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/x victory found.htm

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
... of God, a heart filled with all the fulness of God ... the blessing: Christ, the Holy
One of God, will in ... of true holiness, the secret of the joy unspeakable, is ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/eighth day holiness and indwelling.htm

Twenty-First Day. Holiness and Happiness.
... If we would live lives of joy, assuring God and man and ourselves that our Lord ... Let
us glory in Him who is our holiness: in His presence is fulness of joy. ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-first day holiness and happiness.htm

Thirsting for God
... of thought, struggling with difficulties or bright with joy"Oh ... may be got in the
Lamb of God, and without ... Christ is everything, and 'out of His fulness all we ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/thirsting for god.htm

Experience, Resolve, and Hope
... be said, with a depth and a fulness of meaning ... but think of the perfect presence
of God, the perfect ... the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.' We cannot ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/experience resolve and hope.htm