Years ago, we had a treadmill in our house. Well, it started out in the house, in a spare bedroom (pre-kids). Then it made its way to a corner of our bedroom, and finally out to the garage before we eventually sold it.
I actually like walking on a treadmill, but these days, it only happens if I have a little downtime during a hotel stay and want to fit in some exercise. And I have to admit that it can get a little monotonous. That belt is just cycling around over and over and over.
Sometimes we might feel that way about life. We get stuck in a rut, doing the same things the same way repeatedly. And we can get discouraged.
But as I was reading my Bible the other day, I found a boost of hope in Psalm 16:11.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Here are three reasons this verse can give us hope.
1. We can rest in His guidance.
The first part of the verse says that God will show us the path of life. How thankful we are, most of all, that God has revealed to us the path to eternal life! That’s the most important one we can find. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us that He is the way to the Father, and through Him we find salvation.
Yet I believe God also shows us the path through our life here on earth. The Cambridge Bible commentary says, “‘The path of life’ is not merely a path which leads to life, but one in which life is to be found.”
Through circumstances, open and closed doors, by following principles found in His Word, by being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, we can trust God to show us the path in which we should walk. That’s where we’ll find the most satisfaction in this life.
We can have hope because we’re not left to figure out life on our own! God will direct us. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” ~Psalm 32:8
2. We will find joy in His presence.
As Christians, one day we will physically be in his presence in heaven forever. But even now, through prayer and the Holy Spirit that lives in us, we can experience a taste of that joy.
I would relate great joy to how I felt after FaceTiming last week with my daughter who’s away at college. It was exciting to hear that she was doing well and to catch up with what’s happening in her life.
But even that joy dims over time. A couple of days later, I wanted another update! However, in Christ’s presence, we can find joy that completely satisfies. What a thought, to be filled to capacity with joy! How that makes me want to spend more time with Him!
3. We can anticipate eternal pleasures.
I don’t know exactly what those eternal pleasures will look like. But when I think of all the pleasures we have here on earth where there is still sin and human nature to contend with, I know they must be wonderful pleasures. Earthly pleasures don’t last, but God has laid up for us an inexhaustible store of everlasting treasures.
This reminds me of Colossians 3 which is the memory passage I’m working on right now. In the first verse, we’re told to seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
It’s easy to get discouraged if we only focus on the here and now. We have to purposely set our minds on heaven and the glories that await the children of God there. We can’t even grasp the undending delights of discovering God for eternity.
So if you need an infusion of hope today, meditate on these three truths from Psalm 16:11. God guides us, we find joy in His presence, and He offers us pleasures with him forevermore.
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