Finding True Joy & Pleasure In Knowing God - Insights Into Psalm 16:11
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This blog post is a part of our “Finding Series.”
Our goal for this series is to cultivate a whole-hearted, passionate pursuit of knowing and loving Jesus no matter the season of life.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Have you thought about how people naturally want to find joy and pleasure? We are actually hard-wired to want joy to the fullest and pleasure forever, but finding it is not reality in this broken world, is it?
Instead, we often lack joy in the day to day, and when we go through trials it’s like happiness and pleasure elude us.
On top of that, the things we seek to find joy and pleasure in are often not good for us.
🤦🏻♀️ Confession time… Who, like me, gravitates to these types of comforts when stressed out or burdened? 🙋🏻♀️
Retail therapy, a comforting cup of coffee, indulging in our favorite foods, or seeking refuge in a quiet bubble bath. Perhaps you find yourself escaping into a Netflix binge or even resorting to more harmful habits, knowing deep down that they won't truly bring lasting joy or eternal pleasure.
But what if I told you that the answer to our quest for genuine and enduring joy lies in personally knowing God? It's true.
YOU MAKE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE;
IN YOUR PRESENCE THERE IS FULLNESS OF JOY;
AT YOUR RIGHT HAND ARE PLEASURES FOREVERMORE.
PSALM 16:11 (ESV)What’s neat is that for this whole psalm David is telling us amazing attributes of God and how knowing God has radically changed his life.
This last verse really sums up what he’s learned: the promise of life, joy, and pleasure is found in knowing God - being in His very presence!
That can only happen through Jesus, right? How else could an unholy person be in the presence of the holy God except through the mediation of Jesus the Messiah?
One thing I want to quickly point out is the last phrase “at your right hand...” who is at God’s right hand?
“Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:34 (ESV)
Jesus is at the right hand of God! So that means that pleasures forevermore are found in Jesus, right?
I recently did a Bible study with some friends and was thinking, How is Jesus pleasures forevermore?
Let’s think through this together.... What do you think you need most in life? Not sure? Fill in the blank - “If I just had _______, then it’d better.” “If only _______ would happen…”
Perhaps you filled in the blank with…
LOVE
Our Thoughts
If someone would just love me…
If I could be fully known and fully loved, then life would be better.
God’s Word
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” John 15:13 ESV
“While we were still weak, Christ died for the ungodly... but God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6,8 ESV
Truth
Jesus knows everything about you, and He still showed you the love of God! Run to Jesus; our need for love is met in Him.
HEALTH
Our Thoughts
If I wasn’t in so much pain all the time…
If I didn’t get such a bad diagnosis, then I could keep going.
God’s Word
“[God] Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,” Psalm 103:3 ESV
“With His [Jesus’] stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53 ESV
Truth
God can totally heal you. And if he doesn’t heal your body the way you hoped, know that the most serious “sickness” - a sinful heart that separates from God - is healed through the suffering of Jesus on the cross.
FRIENDSHIP
Our Thoughts
I just need a friend.
If there was just someone I could live life with, talk to about anything, and know they still have my back… then I’d be happy.
God’s Word
“And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’—and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:23 ESV
Jesus said: “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 ESV
Truth
Jesus shows us true, undeserved friendship. In the same way that Abraham believed God, if we believe God then through Jesus we, too, can be called a friend of God.
REST
Our Thoughts
I’m so stressed out! If I could just take a break from it all and rest.
God’s Word
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Truth
A pastor and theologian name Tim Keller said this, “One of the great blessings about the gospel (good news of Jesus) is that Jesus gives you rest that no one else will.” And isn’t it true? Jesus offers you rest, true rest! No more striving to be worthy or working to stay on God’s “good side.” Jesus did it all! All the striving, all the work - it was finished on the cross. Maybe you’re thinking, my religion isn’t restful. Then maybe you’re looking to your religion rather than the Jesus of the Bible.
FORGIVENESS
Our Thoughts
I’m burdened down with the weight of guilt.
I try to make things right with God, but when I mess up again I’m afraid he’ll bring up my long list of “dirty laundry.”
God’s Word
“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he [God] remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 ESV
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12 ESV
Truth
When we ask God for forgiveness based on what Jesus did for us, then it is just for God to forgive us (meaning it’s right for Him to forgive and He will forgive) and He will faithfully forgive (meaning He will forgive every time). If you’re in Jesus, God will remember your sins no more because He sees the righteousness of Jesus!
PEACE
Our Thoughts
If I could just have peace in my heart and mind!
If there could just be peace in the world!
God’s Word
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 ESV
Truth
Your heart and mind may feel unsettled, but your peace with God can be settled once and for all through Jesus. And when Jesus reigns in the hearts of men and women, then true peace will come to this earth. So let’s keep sharing Jesus with our neighbors and around the world!
FREEDOM
Our Thoughts
I try to stop sinning, but I just can’t help it. If only I could get freedom!
Death is all around me. So many people I know have died… If I could just be free from death!
God’s Word
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:2 ESV
Truth
If you are in Christ, then He has set you free from sin and death. It may feel like sin and death are the 2 things you can’t escape from, but in Christ you are free from both! Jesus’ resurrection power can empower you too to live free from the law of sin and death.
LIFE
Our Thoughts
My life is nothing like what I thought it would be… if only things could be different.
I am so worn down. I just need life!
God’s Word
“If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:22 ESV
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 ESV
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I [Jesus} came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 ESV
Truth
Being in Jesus - the Fountain of living waters - brings the life we truly need. Jesus doesn’t offer just-enough-to-get-by life, He offers abundant life. This abundant life is full of joy, peace, and pleasure because it’s full of Jesus!
Did you catch that? 👉👉 Life, joy, and pleasure are actually in KNOWING Jesus and being KNOWN by Him!
In a world that often leaves us longing for true fulfillment, it's time to take a different path. Instead of chasing temporary pleasures and elusive happiness, we can experience lasting joy that transcends circumstances.
By fostering a personal relationship with God, we unlock the key to genuine and enduring joy. No longer will we rely on fleeting comforts or harmful habits to fill the void within us. Because we know that doesn’t work. Instead, we can find solace, contentment, and true pleasure in knowing God and being known by Him.
So, let go of the temporary fixes and passionately pursue knowing God personally. Discover a joy that surpasses understanding and a pleasure that endures beyond this broken world.
Soli Deo gloria,
Kathy
What do you think?
Please share in the comments below, I’d love to hear!
If you found this helpful, please share!
As a mom who’s suffered the loss of my baby, I know deep heart pain.
I tried to run from God, but he convinced me of his love and comforted my heart with hope and healing in Jesus.
Now, it’s my mission to share this same comfort with others who’ve experienced the pain of miscarriage and infant loss.
