The Fullness of Joy - Psalms 16-17 and Acts 20:1-16
David had found the fullness of joy. I believe we would all love to be able to say the same thing. The key is that the fullness of joy comes from being in the presence of God. It comes from being in a close relationship with the Lord. It does not come from our life circumstances or the activities in which we participate. Joy is a deep abiding satisfaction with life that comes from knowing God and trusting Him. In these psalms we begin to read about David's reliance on God to vindicate him. David knew that his protection came from the Lord, but he also knew that people would misunderstand him and falsely judge him. He could not stop that from happening. What he could do was to stay close to the Lord and allow God to vindicate him in the eyes of other people. I believe we would all do well to adopt this type of trust in the Lord. Finally, David showed his deep, abiding joy in a magnificent statement. The last verse of Psalm 17 says, "As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness." Meditate on that statement and you will find the source of the fullness of joy in David's life. Oh to be satisfied in life by this hope!
Paul was in a similar situation. The Jews were seeking to get rid of him, but God was protecting him. He was being sustained by the grace of God. He was not doing his own will, but he was being diligent to do God's will. In the process of going to Jerusalem for Pentecost, because he believed that was what God wanted, he stopped in Troas. He had an urgency to build up the believers. He ended up preaching to them and teaching them all night. We might say that was extreme. It was not too extreme. It showed Paul's heart to do God's will no matter what. About half way through his message, Eutychus fell three stories to his death. Some might have criticised Paul for preaching too long and causing his death. However, God vindicated Paul by raising him from the dead. That was sweet vindication indeed.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 18-19 and Acts 20:17-38.
Paul was in a similar situation. The Jews were seeking to get rid of him, but God was protecting him. He was being sustained by the grace of God. He was not doing his own will, but he was being diligent to do God's will. In the process of going to Jerusalem for Pentecost, because he believed that was what God wanted, he stopped in Troas. He had an urgency to build up the believers. He ended up preaching to them and teaching them all night. We might say that was extreme. It was not too extreme. It showed Paul's heart to do God's will no matter what. About half way through his message, Eutychus fell three stories to his death. Some might have criticised Paul for preaching too long and causing his death. However, God vindicated Paul by raising him from the dead. That was sweet vindication indeed.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 18-19 and Acts 20:17-38.