Friday, May 23’s devotional. David writes in Psalm 16:8–9, “I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely.” This is no surface-level happiness. It is deep, enduring gladness that flows from a life centered on God. Jeff described this kind of joy as overwhelming: “Have you ever had that kind of joy? It’s just so amazing you’re overflowing… you feel like you’re going to burst.” True joy isn’t found in possessions, achievements, or experiences—it is found in God’s presence.
A God-centered life is not a life of disappointment, but of delight. It’s a lie that obedience to God leads to boredom or restriction. In reality, it frees us into fullness. When we continually set the Lord before us, when we meditate on His Word and walk in His ways, we discover what David knew: a rejoicing heart and a rested soul. It is in God’s presence, not apart from it, that we find life worth living. “Don’t we want this?” Jeff asked. “Everyone I talk to… they all want to have joy… it is only found in Him.”
As we seek to live with Christ at the center, we will battle lesser desires. The pull of sin and worldly pleasures can feel strong. But Jeff reminds us, “Let go of the mud pies and seek… lay hold of that eternal delight in Him.” He continued, “Only if our delights are in Him… only then will that secure us in death.” Earthly joys fade, but the delight we find in God is indestructible—because it is rooted in the indestructible joy of the risen Christ.
Jeff shared honestly, “At first it was a little bit crass… I was thinking, the wine at the eternal feast is going to be so much better than 16-year-old scotch.” But over time, his desires shifted. “The more my affections were set upon Christ… the more the desire for drunkenness was being purged from my heart.” This is the work of Christ’s resurrection power in us. Through Him, we receive not just forgiveness, but a new heart—one that finds its joy in God alone.
Lord, help me set You always before me. When other pleasures pull at my heart, remind me of the joy that is only found in You. Purge my affections of anything that competes with You, and replace them with deeper desire for Your presence. May I live a life centered on You—not just in word, but in glad obedience. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Watch the sermon here.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.