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. I. WHAT WE ARE TO UNDERSTAND BY THE PRESENCE OF GOD HERE. God is present everywhere by His infinite knowledge and almighty energy. He fills universal nature. But the Psalmist speaks of a more gracious presence, those peculiar manifestations of Himself with which He delights His believing and obedient people, and which He affords them through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only in Jesus Christ that we, sinful creatures, can see or think of a holy and just God with any comfort. II. HOW DOES IT APPEAR THAT IN THIS PRESENCE THERE IS FULNESS OF JOY? Consider this presence as it is known in — 1. This world. Here the enjoyment of it first begins. To the good man the Divine presence gives a peculiar and most lively relish to every enjoyment here. The creatures around us, the beauties of nature and art, the social connections in life, the Divine Word, and all means of grace, are all more desirable and delightful as tokens of the Divine presence are found in them. We are all exposed to affliction, trials, perils and death, and our consolation in all comes from the presence of God. 2. The world to come. There our joy will be full indeed, because — (1) It will be absolutely pure and unmixed. It will be all joy, without any alloy of sorrow; without even the fear of it. (2) It answers to every want and desire of our nature. It includes every possible delight, and will leave no desire unsatisfied. (3) It will be full in point of duration. It will fill even the endless ages of eternity itself. (4) It is all derived from, and supported by, the fulness of Christ. Improvement: 1. Hew mean the sentiments and pursuits of the bulk of mankind appear in view of this truth. 2. There must be some very great change wrought in us, before we can so enjoy the Divine presence as to find our happiness there. 3. How invaluable a blessing the Gospel is. (Daniel Turner.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. |
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