Dave's Diary

The angels announced Jesus’ birth as “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10), so it is only appropriate that every year, in the third week of advent, our theme is JOY.

Daily Reading: Psalm 16

“¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.“

Definitions of the Christian concept of joy are many and varied. Holman’s Bible dictionary defines joy as “The happy state that results from knowing and serving God.” The Bible Project says, “Biblical joy is more than a happy feeling. It’s a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfil his promises.” John Piper explains, “Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.“

Each of these definitions makes clear that while the emotion of “happiness” is dependent on circumstances, “joy” is a type of gladness that flows from a deeper source. That deeper source is our relationship to God. The Psalmist revealed this truth when he declared:

You fill me with joy in Your presence!

An unhindered and intimate relationship with God is the wellspring of true joy.

And this is why the coming of Jesus is good news of great joy. Jesus came to destroy the barrier of sin which separated us from God, and to bring humans back into intimate, childlike relationship with God. This relationship with God is the deepest longing of the human heart (whether we know it or not), and only when it is restored can the longing be satisfied, and our joy be complete.

Today, let us take time to sit at the well of the Lord’s presence in stillness, enjoy His company, revel in His unconditional love for us, and worship Him in the beauty of His holiness. Jesus gave Himself to make this possible, so let’s enjoy the fruit of His sacrifice and discover the fulness of joy in His presence.

As you sit in His presence may I suggest you pray this simple breath prayer for a few minutes. As you breathe out pray: “Lord I love you” and as you breathe in, “I receive You”.