Fullness of Joy 

Introduction:

  By meditating upon who the Lord is and all that He does for us, we can experience the  “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore.”  (Psalms 16:11 ESV) 

Text:  Psalms 16 

Body: 

I. Who the Lord Is (Verses 1-8) 

• Protector (Verse 1)  He is our refuge.  This stresses His strength and power.  (Psalms 73:25-28)
• Provider (Verses 2-4)  (Psalms 34:8 and James 1:16-17)  He also provides us with wonderful company: the godly, the majestic ones, the excellent ones.  (I Peter 2:9-10)
• Preserver (Verses 5-6)  He providentially watches over me.  (Romans 8:28)  He preserves my eternal inheritance.  (I Peter 1:3-5, Psalms 56:3-4)
• Counselor (Verse 7)  God instructs me through His words.  (Psalms 119:24,97-98)  His word counsels me on how to avoid sin and find eternal life. (Psalms 119:9-11) 
• Comforter (Verse 8)  He comforts me by His constant presence.  David pictures Jehovah standing before him, at his right hand.  (Psalms 110:5) David did not fear men.  God gave him confidence and stability.  These words inspired the song – “I shall not be, I shall not be moved.”  This is a conscious decision to set the Lord in our presence.  We can’t set God before us if we let the world, money, jobs, ambitions, selfish desires push Him away from our hearts and minds.

II. What the Lord Does For Us (Verses 9-11) 

• God makes our hearts glad.  (Psalms 30:11-12)  This is true in this life and especially in the life to come.  Note David’s words in  Psalms 108:1,4.
• We have hope of the resurrection, where our body and spirit will be reunited.  (I Corinthians 15:50-55)  Peter applies this to Christ  (Acts 2:25-31)  [This is a Messianic psalm, but one with applications to all of us).  Paul also applies this to Jesus.  (Acts 13:34-47)
• God’s people can experience joy and pleasure in this life, but “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” are reserved for us in heaven in the presence of God.

Invitation:

  Are you putting God first in all things?  Do you truly delight in the Lord?  Do you desire to be in His presence? 

Bobby Stafford

September 25, 2011