You know the verse well, Precious Child: “In [my] presence is abundant joy” (Psalm 16:11). One day you will know the full abundance of My joy, when you arrive in heaven and experience the totality of My absolute perfection.
But today I invite you to meditate on the abundance of delight available to you here and now.
Do you know it is possible to greatly expand your joy–just by sitting with Me in solitude and silence?
It’s true.
So come away by yourself to a quiet place. Close your eyes, slow your breathing, and simply acknowledge My Presence. When you come near to me, I immediately come near to you and we become as close as a vine is to the branch. There is no separation between us (1).
Visualize My strong arm of comfort and protection around you. Remember: I will never let you go. You are perfectly safe and secure in My omnipotent care (2). Lean on Me, Child.
Note My right hand holding yours, infusing you with sustaining power that upholds, encourages, and affirms. In addition, My right hand is filled with righteousness (3)—kindness and compassion, provision and protection, wisdom and guidance, grace and mercy—all for your behalf. I am continually giving My best for you.
Do you see how I look at you, My Beloved Child, with love in My eyes and a warm smile of approval? Never will I condemn you; never will My love for you diminish. It is everlasting and lavished upon you day after day (4).
I am wholly devoted to you, therefore I will supply the wherewithal to overcome whatever you might face. In fact, My perfect love can drive away your every fear (5), because “all that you need is found in all that I am” (Unknown).
Never forget how important you are to me. I love you so extravagantly I sent my only Son to die for you (6). No one loves you or cares about your welfare more deeply than I do. I will help you, hold you steady, and keep a firm grip on you.
Hear my soothing words of comfort, encouragement and peace, listen as I share great and hidden things you haven’t known before, open the ears of your heart to the trustworthy instruction and hope-filled promises of My Word, and you will find the joy of your heart amplified (7).
Can you perceive how intently I listen to you? My ears are open to your every prayer. In fact, before a word is on your tongue, I know what you’re going to say, because I’m perfectly in tune with your spirit. You can also take joy in the knowledge I’m already working on the answers to your prayers (8).
All these blessings and more come to you as we sit in companionable togetherness. You’ll soon discover:
“The joy of living in My Presence
outshines all other pleasures.”
–Sarah Young, Jesus Calling
So come, dear _______________ (Insert your name in the blank). Come into my presence and experience all the joy-filled delights of quiet yet exultant repose with Me.
Notes:
- John 15:4-5; James 4:8; Romans 8:38-39
- Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 121:7-8
- Psalm 18:35b; 48:10
- Romans 8:1; Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 3:1
- 1 John 4:18
- Isaiah 41:10 MSG; John 3:16
- Psalm 119:76; Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:7; Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 119:137-138, 162; Psalm 119:11
- 1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 139:14; Isaiah 65:24
Photo credits: http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com; wwwldailyverses.net; pixabay.com.
From the Inside Out 
Nancy, This is beautiful! thank you! Love, Prayers and Blessings, Janet
Thank YOU, Janet, for being such a faithful reader and taking the time to comment. So glad you found beauty here–praise God!
Nancy, this is so beautiful and edifying. Your love for the Lord and His Word is contagious 🙂 Thank you for reminding us to always seek His face and look for the miracles in our circumstances! Blessings to you and Steve!
I DO love God’s Word! Even after more than six decades (!) of being a Christian, I never tire of its encouragement. (And thank you, Heidi, for YOUR encouragement too!)
I’m so thankful for His perfect love. Beautifully written, Nancy. Thanks for sharing.
So grateful here too! Thank you, Tresa.
Nancy, this is just beautiful and absolutely sent from the Lord to me because I needed to hear these things. The past three weeks have been very challenging with my Mom sicker than I have ever seen her. She is on the mend and I am so encouraged by this. Thank you sweet friend. (Also, I have been holding Steve and you up in prayer.)
Praise God once again for his timing. So glad your mom is on the mend, Cheri. I must say God must smile over you every day because you so graciously give of yourself to others!
ABundant delight – what a great idea and would make a great title for a book!
Thank you, Jean! You are such a precious encourager!
Nancy, the beautiful words and visuals are so inviting and uplifting. Thank you once again for your insight and for passing along these beautiful messages. Love to you and Steve.
Thank you, Ruth. Praise God you found beauty and uplift here! Love back to you, too!
This is so beautiful, and so needed today. I’m struggling with distraction in an awful way these days. I know my Father is calling me into a deeper communion….messages of silence and solitude keep coming across my radar, yet my mind is abuzz with distractions. Ugh! Thank you for this reminder, my friend. I think I’ll get off this device and try to quiet my mind once more. Blessings on your day! ❤️
God hears your heart’s desire, Rebeca, to spend long moments in his presence. There is NO condemnation that distractions are currently holding you captive (Psalm 69:33). I pray God removes an obligation or two from your schedule, and you’ll KNOW–this time has been carved out for you to meet with him in the silence and solitude you crave–without distraction from the to-do list! Blessings to you, too, my friend!