“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
The pursuit of pleasure ranks highly among many people’s priorities. God created in us the capability to enjoy Him and find true pleasure in Him alone. He is the only source of fulfillment and joy, from which all good things flow (James 1:17).
In Psalm 16, David expresses his trust in the Lord (vv. 1–2a). A Christian will experience delight in a humble, intimate relationship with God. David mentions four specific pleasures that Christians enjoy on God’s path.
We find pleasure in the company of our fellow travelers, the saints (v. 3). When we gather with other believers, we find refreshment, encouragement, and accountability. We enjoy our unity as we worship God together.
We find joy in our inheritance in Christ (vv. 4–5). We will receive glory and heaven’s riches at our journey’s end, but we don’t have to wait for heaven to experience all of God’s gifts. God ministers to us right now through His relationship with us and our relationships with other believers.
We experience joy in the counsel of His Word (vv. 6–7). He guides us by both precept and example. As we set Christ’s life and ministry before us, we have joy in following in His footsteps.
Finally, we rejoice in the promise of security in Christ (vv. 9–10). No one can remove us from God’s protective hand (John 10:28) or take away our salvation. In Christ, we are secure forever.
Final Thought: As we walk on the path, God showers us with lasting pleasures that only He can provide.
CJ Harris is the managing editor for Positive Action, where he helps plan, develop, and launch Bible curricula for churches and schools. Having served as a youth pastor and Sunday School teacher, he has a passion for teaching young people about the glories of their God. A bit of a history buff, CJ received his Ph.D. in Church History in 2011, based on a study of Reformation-era missions philosophy. He and his wife—also a student and teacher of history—have two sons.
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