Where the Joy Lives

by Katy Kauffman

The first time I truly felt close to God was at a basketball camp. The University of Memphis held a basketball clinic for youth girls, and their women’s coach and team were our teachers. At twelve years old, I was in awe of seeing the coach up close and learning from her.

On the first day, however, I was also lonely. During one of the breaks, I wished I was at home because my parents were expecting our reupholstered recliner to be delivered. I thought it was funny that I wanted to see a reupholstered chair with them more than to be at this basketball adventure on my own.

At that moment, I had an awareness of God’s presence like never before. I didn’t see anything, but I knew He was with me and His “face” was filled with love. I had been a believer in Christ for five years, but now I understood firsthand that God wasn’t vaguely present with His children all over the world—He draws close to us, and He was with me. I wasn’t alone. 

God is where the joy lives. Whenever we feel lonely, afraid, or overwhelmed, God knows how to restore our joy.

“You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
(Psalm 16:11 NKJV)

Perfect in wisdom, God guides our steps.

Perfect in love, God brings joy to our hearts and lives.

Perfect in power, God provides what we need, including what is beautiful and good.

How Do You View God?

Some people’s view of God is shaped by how they have been treated (or mistreated) or by what they have been told about Him. Instead of thinking that He is someone who gives joy, they may think of Him as cold, austere, or judgmental.

Psalm 16 gives us a testimony of how the psalmist David viewed God, and his view can be our reality if we seek to know God for who He truly is.

What does Psalm 16 show us about God, if we belong to Him?

1. He is trustworthy (v.1).
2. He is our portion or inheritance (v.5)—He becomes our satisfaction and hope when we enter His family.
3. He is our Teacher (v.7).
4. He is our stability (v.8).
5. He is our Rescuer (v.10).
6. He is our Guide (v.11).
7. He is our Joy-Giver (v.11).

Joy thrives where God dwells. When we have Him—our heavenly Father, faithful Friend, sacrificial Savior, and compassionate Healer—we can have joy in every moment because there’s no problem too hard for Him to solve. There’s no question He can’t answer (in the right way and time). There’s no challenge He can’t overcome.

What Choice Will You Make?

Once we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we become a part of God’s spiritual family, and then we have choices to make. Will we pursue what will harm our lives and steal our joy, or will we pursue what will build up our lives? Will we draw close to God and find in Him what we need each day? Will we abide in joy?

Tucked away in Psalm 16, we can find seven choices that promote joy as we follow God. What should we say no to, and what should we embrace?

1. Say no to fear and doubt, and embrace trusting God (v.1).
2. Say no to self-glory, and depend on God’s investment in our lives (v.2).
3. Say no to wickedness, and delight in those people and actions that are godly and excellent (v.3).
4. Say no to “idols” (something or someone we love and honor more than God), and honor God first in our hearts (v.4).
5. Say no to a “defeated” mindset, and look to God’s help to win the victory (v.8).
6. Say no to utter despair, and rest in hope—what God can do (v.9).
7. Say no to a life of emptiness, and follow God and stay close to Him to have joy forever (v.11).

When we have a relationship with God through His Son, we gain a life filled with light, hope, love, goodness, heart satisfaction, purpose, victory, and an eternity with Him. Joy forevermore.

Discussion Question: Today’s post on the second fruit of the Spirit—joy—talks about who God is and the choices we can make in light of that. How has choosing God and His ways helped you to have joy in life’s daily routine and trials? Please leave a comment. We’d love to hear your thoughts on where joy lives.